‘PAW Patrol’ Shows Bark at Box Office While ‘The Creator’ and ‘Dumb Money’ Disappoint 

Guinness World Records Adjudicator Michael Empric holds a certificate during the Guinness World Record Breaking Screening in support of "PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie" at the Autry Museum of the American West in Los Angeles, California, on September 24, 2023. (AFP)
Guinness World Records Adjudicator Michael Empric holds a certificate during the Guinness World Record Breaking Screening in support of "PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie" at the Autry Museum of the American West in Los Angeles, California, on September 24, 2023. (AFP)
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‘PAW Patrol’ Shows Bark at Box Office While ‘The Creator’ and ‘Dumb Money’ Disappoint 

Guinness World Records Adjudicator Michael Empric holds a certificate during the Guinness World Record Breaking Screening in support of "PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie" at the Autry Museum of the American West in Los Angeles, California, on September 24, 2023. (AFP)
Guinness World Records Adjudicator Michael Empric holds a certificate during the Guinness World Record Breaking Screening in support of "PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie" at the Autry Museum of the American West in Los Angeles, California, on September 24, 2023. (AFP)

After several quiet weeks in movie theaters, four films entered wide release over the weekend. “PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie” came out the top dog, with $23 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The performances of all four films – “PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie,” “Saw X,” “The Creator” and “Dumb Money” – told a familiar story at the box office. What worked? Horror and animated franchises. What didn’t? Originality and comedy.

“PAW Patrol,” from Paramount Pictures and Spin Master, had timing on its side. The film, a sequel to the 2021 “PAW Patrol” movie adapted from the Nickelodeon TV series, was the first family animated movie in theaters since “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” was released in early August.

The first “PAW Patrol,” released during the pandemic, debuted with $13 million while simultaneously releasing on Paramount+, and its success in both arenas was a contributing factor in leading Nickelodeon chief Brian Robbins to be named head of Paramount. A third “PAW Patrol” movie has already been green-lit.

“Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie,” which cost $30 million to make, added $23.1 million in overseas sales.

“Saw X,” the tenth release in the long-running horror series, managed to bounce back from a franchise low with an opening weekend of $18 million for Lionsgate. The previous “Saw” movie, 2021’s “Spiral,” starring Chris Rock, debuted with $8.8 million and totaled $23.3 million domestically.

But the 10th “Saw” doubled back on gore and brought back Tobin Bell as the serial killer Jigsaw. It came away with the franchise’s best opening weekend in more than a decade and strong audience scores.

The $13-million production was also the widest “Saw” release yet, playing in 3,262 theaters. Since James Wan’s 2004 original, the “Saw” franchise – the flagship series of so-called torture porn -- has made more than $1 billion worldwide.

“The Creator,” an $80 million movie financed by New Regency and distributed by Disney’s 20th Century Studios, was easily the biggest film to launch in theaters over the weekend but struggled to catch on. It grossed a modest $14 million at 3,680 theaters while adding $18.3 million internationally.

The film, directed by Gareth Edwards, stars John David Washington as an undercover operative in an AI-dominated future. “The Creator” drew mostly positive reviews and a B+ CinemaScore from audiences.

Sony Pictures’ “Dumb Money,” expanded nationwide after two weeks of limited release but failed to ignite the kind of populist movement it irreverently dramatizes. The film, directed by Craig Gillespie, came away with a disappointing $3.5 million in 2,837 locations.

“Dumb Money,” starring an ensemble of Paul Dano, Pete Davidson, Seth Rogen, America Ferrera and Anthony Ramos, turns the GameStop stock frenzy into a ripped-from-the-headlines underdog tale of amateur traders rattling Wall Street. While all of the weekend’s new releases were hampered by the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, “Dumb Money” would have especially benefitted from its cast hitting late-night shows and other promotions.

Made for $30 million, “Dumb Money” wasn’t a massive bet. But it represented the kind of movie – a mid-budget, acclaimed original mostly targeted at adults – that Hollywood seldom makes anymore. As the industry enters an awards season a year after many high-profile contenders (among them “Tár” and “The Fabelmans”) failed to catch on in theaters, the results for “Dumb Money” may be cautionary for films queuing up.

The weekend’s other notable success came from a four-decade-old concert film. The 4K restoration of the Talking Heads concert film “Stop Making Sense” made $1 million on 786 screens, and surely led all movies in the number of dancing moviegoers. The Jonathan Demme film has surpassed $3 million thus far. Indie distributor A24 promised it will “have audiences dancing in the aisles around the world for a very long time to come.”



Marvel’s $80 Popcorn Bucket Sets World Record in Los Angeles 

A Marvel’s Fantastic Four Galactus Popcorn Bucket is displayed during a showing of "Fantastic Four: First Steps" movie at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California, on July 24, 2025. (AFP)
A Marvel’s Fantastic Four Galactus Popcorn Bucket is displayed during a showing of "Fantastic Four: First Steps" movie at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California, on July 24, 2025. (AFP)
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Marvel’s $80 Popcorn Bucket Sets World Record in Los Angeles 

A Marvel’s Fantastic Four Galactus Popcorn Bucket is displayed during a showing of "Fantastic Four: First Steps" movie at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California, on July 24, 2025. (AFP)
A Marvel’s Fantastic Four Galactus Popcorn Bucket is displayed during a showing of "Fantastic Four: First Steps" movie at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California, on July 24, 2025. (AFP)

A colossal $80 popcorn container shaped like Marvel's planet-devouring villain Galactus is offering a unique twist on movie snacks.

During its unveiling in Los Angeles, the container drew excited fans to the TCL Chinese Theatre and set a Guinness World Record.

The mammoth movie snack holder, tied to the upcoming "Fantastic Four: First Steps" film, measures 20 inches (51 cm) wide and 17.5 inches tall. It boasts a capacity of 341 ounces (10 liters) – enough to satisfy even Galactus' cosmic appetite.

Lacey Noel, a tour guide at the TCL Chinese Theatre, presented the bucket to eager onlookers. "It is $80 and people are currently eating it up," she said.

The Galactus container isn't just about size. It features a metallic finish and piercing bright blue LED eyes, adding to its appeal as a display piece long after the popcorn is gone. Fans lined up at the theater's concession stand, eager to get their hands on the limited-edition item.

This record-breaking popcorn bucket represents more than just a novel way to serve cinema snacks. It's part of a broader strategy by movie studios and theaters to lure audiences back to the big screen with exclusive, tangible experiences that can't be replicated at home.

Chris Banda, a fan who purchased the Galactus bucket, praised the initiative.

"I think these buckets are fantastic," he said. "I obviously wouldn't have got this if I didn't come to the theaters and I think it's designed very well and it's got a lot of popcorn, so cool."