Box Office: ‘Ouija’ Materializes with $911,000 Thursday, Outpacing ‘John Wick’

Universal’s horror-thriller “Ouija” has scared up a respectable $911,000 in Thursday night screenings at 2,061 locations in the U.S.

Lionsgate’s Keanu Reeves actioner “John Wick,” the weekend’s other major opener, was close behind with $870,000 at 2,000 screenings on Thursday night.

“Ouija,” starring Daren Kagasoff and Olivia Cooke, has been expected to top a relatively quiet weekend at the box office at about $20 million. The film, budgeted at less than $5 million and carrying a PG-13 rating, centers on a group of teens attempting to contact a deceased friend with an Ouija board, resulting in the summoning of an evil spirit instead.

The Thurssday night “Ouija” number compared favorably with Universal’s “Mama,” also rated PG-13, which took in $450,358 and went on to a $28.4 million opening weekend in January, 2013.

FilmDistrict’s “Insidious,” another PG-13 horror title, generated $145,000 on its Thursday night launch in 2011 at the start of a $13.3 million weekend. And Lionsgate’s “Sinister,” which had an R rating, scared up $930,000 on Thursday night at the start of an $18 million weekend in 2012.

“Oujia” is produced by Michael Bay’s Platinum Dunes and micro-budget king Jason Blum. Its PG-13 rating is expected to help broaden its appeal to its core audience of teenagers as it launches in 2,856 theaters.

“John Wick,” centered on a hitman seeking vengeance for the killing of a dog, has received strong critical support but has been pegged for a debut of about $8 million at 2,589 locations.

Sony’s second weekend of “Fury” is expected to finish second with about $13 million, followed by Fox’s fourth weekend of “Gone Girl” with about $12 million. “Fury” has hit $31 million in its first six days and “Gone Girl” has gathered an impressive $111 million in three weeks, putting the thriller on track to pass “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” as David Fincher’s highest-grossing film domestically.

“Button” took in $127 million in the U.S. in 2008.

Related stories

How Hasbro Wants to Take the Financial Reins of its Movies Starting with 'My Little Pony'

Keanu Reeves, Adrianne Palicki on 'John Wick,' Dogs and Stunts

Digital Audience Ratings: 'Mockingjay' Stunt Unlocks Top Slot, 'Penguins' Pop With Sneak Peek

Get more from Variety and Variety411: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter