Sony's horror sequel "Insidious: Out of the Further" has taken $3 million in Thursday preview screenings ahead of its US theatrical release this weekend, as the sixth instalment in the long-running franchise aims for a domestic opening of $23 million to $27 million. That would place it second at the box office behind Sony's own "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," giving the studio the top two spots this weekend, though it falls short of the $33 million debut of 2023's predecessor "The Red Door."

Despite the softer projected opening, the film's modest $18 million budget means it should turn a profit easily, continuing the franchise's pattern of low-budget hits that have collectively grossed $740 million worldwide. The new instalment features Amelia Eve, Brandon Perea and Maisie Richardson-Sellers as the supernatural realm known as the Further breaches the real world. Other weekend releases include Jason Statham's action film "Mutiny" ($8-10 million projected), comedy "Spa Weekend" ($3-5 million projected), and Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey," which is expected to add around $15 million in its sixth week after becoming the highest-grossing R-rated film ever with $1.35 billion globally.