Happy Death Day crushes Blade Runner

LOS ANGELES -- "Happy Death Day" has cause for celebration.

The latest from Blumhouse and Universal is leading the box office this weekend with $26.5 million from 3,149 locations. That puts it far ahead of "Blade Runner 2049," which is skidding to $15.1 million during its second weekend at 4,058 locations, down 54% from its disappointing opening weekend.

A horror spin on "Groundhog Day," "Happy Death Day" centers on Tree Gelbman (Jessica Rothe) as a woman who wakes up to the same day -- her birthday -- every day, and is murdered every time. Christopher B. Landon directed the film based on a script by Scott Lobdell.

Earlier this year in January, Blumhouse's "Split" opened to a monster $40 million in January, and went on to earn $278.3 million worldwide. Then, the next month, "Get Out" was a smash hit as well with a $33.4 million opening and $253.1 million in global grosses by the end of its run. The production house is also responsible for the hugely profitable "Purge" and "Paranormal Activity" franchises.

Otherwise, "The Foreigner" -- a U.S.-China co-production between STXfilms, Sparkle Roll Media, and Wanda -- is opening to $12.8 million from 2,515 locations. The Jackie Chan-starrer started its international rollout on September 30, and has tallied $88 million overseas so far. "Casino Royale" director Martin Campbell made the $35-million flick, which also stars Pierce Brosnan as a British government official.