Friday Update #1: Universal's Ouija bowed to $911,000 last night. That's noticeably behind the $2.1 million start for Annabelle earlier this month, although that pic had some benefit in marketing with the aid of being a prequel to last year's horror blockbuster The Conjuring. Ouija's Thursday take is more in line with Carrie's $730,000 last October, which ultimately earned $16.1 million over opening weekend. Ouija's own native brand awareness could feasibly give it a boost as the weekend progresses.

Lionsgate reports that John Wick grabbed a healthy $870,000 from Thursday night shows in over 2,000 locations. That more than double A Walk Among the Tombstones' $430,000 Thursday night start in September, which went on to earn $12.8 million over opening weekend, as well as Brick Mansions' $400,000 ($9.5 million opening weekend). Strong buzz and critical reviews for the sleeper hit had been building in recent weeks, which could be a factor in last night's strong turnout, but the chances of a weekend close to $20 million now look even better.

That's really fucking good and surprising for John Wick - I was only expecting it to open around $8-10 million for the weekend. It might make potentially more than twice that now.

Whoa.

Yup. I'm thinking there's a small chance John Wick actually wins the weekend.

Thats actually very good for John Wick to have a midnight close to Ouija's number. Could it beat Ouija considering that horror movies normally have higher midnight numbers than unknown action thrillers?
Its probably too early for Keanu to celebrate but amazing that he may now have 3 surprise hits each decade (I'm counting the first Matrix movie as 2000's) and Wick could potentially have very strong legs to make close to 100 million.

I should include Bill and Ted from the 80s

I'm here for John Wick upsetting and snatching #1 away from Ouija.

I may be speaking too soon... But I believe I called John Wick. I was very general and never put specific numbers; which means I nailed it!

I think a $20 million opening for John Wick would be a hugely positive surprise.

John Wick is Keanu's best reviewed movie since The Matrix, and along with Speed are the best three films of the past 20 years. If it manages $100 m, its a huge win and one of the biggest surprises of the year.

I can't see $100m. If it opens to $20m, it will top out at $60m. It's an unspectacular action thriller. Doesn't star Denzel or Neeson. Opened in October. And is only in 2,600 cinemas.