Paramount Pictures is sending in its biggest tentpole, “Transformers,” for a fifth round at the box office tonight. But the recent trend of domestic franchise fatigue might take its toll on “Transformers: The Last Knight,” which is currently tracking for a $70 million five-day total.
By comparison, the first “Transformers” film made $70 million in its three-day opening weekend ten years ago, and the three sequels that have been released since have scored openings between $97-108 million.
The good news for “Transformers” and Paramount is that it is one of several franchises that has seen its overseas returns increase with each successive installment as developing markets increase their buying power.