Sam Raimi’s ‘Send Help’ Leads Box Office as ‘Melania’ Sets Records

Sam Raimi has successfully returned to the director's chair with his latest horror-thriller, "Send Help," which is currently dominating the domestic box office charts. The film is defying initial industry projections and is on track to secure the number one spot with an estimated opening weekend haul between $17.5 million and $18.1 million.

Hot on its heels is the highly anticipated video game adaptation "Iron Lung," created by and starring popular YouTuber Markiplier. Despite a strong fan base and significant online buzz, the claustrophobic sci-fi horror is settling for second place with a projected gross ranging from $15 million to $17 million.

The battle for the top spot remained incredibly tight throughout Friday and Saturday, highlighting the enduring and profitable appeal of the horror genre among dedicated theatrical audiences. While "Iron Lung" successfully mobilized a massive digital following, Raimi’s veteran status and the traditional theatrical appeal of "Send Help" ultimately provided the necessary edge to claim the weekend victory.

"Send Help" marks a significant return to form for Raimi, who is best known for his work on the "Evil Dead" franchise and the original "Spider-Man" trilogy. Critics have praised the film for its tension and atmosphere, noting that it delivers the classic scares that fans have come to expect from the legendary director.

In a surprising turn of events, the documentary "Melania" is making headlines of its own by shattering box office records for non-fiction releases. The film has raked in over $8 million during its debut, marking the highest opening for a documentary feature in the last decade.

Audience reception for the documentary has been overwhelmingly positive, earning it a rare and coveted "A" CinemaScore from moviegoers. This critical success suggests strong word-of-mouth potential that could sustain the film's theatrical run well beyond its record-breaking opening weekend.

The diverse performance of these three distinct films demonstrates a healthy variety in current viewer preferences, ranging from classic horror to digital adaptations and political documentaries. Theater owners are celebrating this weekend as a win for the industry, proving that mid-budget films and niche genres can still draw significant crowds alongside major blockbusters.

As final numbers are tallied on Monday, analysts will be watching closely to see if "Send Help" can maintain its momentum or if "Iron Lung" will close the gap. Regardless of the final count, this weekend serves as a testament to the power of original storytelling and the surprising commercial viability of documentary filmmaking in the modern era.