Horror movies had a big hit at the box office this weekend in the run-up to Halloween, but a new Marvel movie has emerged as the main contender.

Venom: The Last Dance starring Tom Hardy as a human who becomes one with an alien creature. In what could be their last adventure together, the two may have to separate so that each of their worlds can survive.

The latest chapter of the popular Marvel franchise underperformed at the box office, collecting only $51 million, well below the studio’s projected $65 million.

The original Venom opened with $80.2 million in 2018, and Venom: Let There Be Carnage enjoyed a $90 million opening in 2021.

The action-adventure did much better overseas, with $124 million.

Tom Hardy and Venom: The Last Dance took the top spot at the box office, beating out other scary movies as the Halloween holiday approached.

Last week’s winner, Smile 2 found itself in second place.

The horror film starring Naomi Scott as a pop star who begins to experience horrific events that force her to confront her past grossed $9.4 million.

Newcomer Conclave had its prayers and answered by not only breaking into the top five, but grabbing third place.

The drama starring Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci as Catholic cardinals who must help elect a new pope received a 92 percent approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Concave moviegoers put $6.5 million in the collection plate.

After two weeks at number two, The Wild Robot comes in at number four.

The animated adventure adapted from the novel of the same name features the voices of Lupita Nyong’o and Pedro Pascal. The highly acclaimed film, which could be a major contender come awards season, earned $6.5 million this weekend.

It earned over $111 million domestically and nearly $121 million internationally, grossing $232,326,000 worldwide.

The film, which is the third in the Venom franchise, grossed a disappointing $51 million, well below the $65 million the studio expected.

Smile 2 ended up in second place. The horror film starring Naomi Scott as a pop star who begins to experience horrific events that force her to confront her past grossed $9.4 million.

Newcomer Conclave, starring Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci, had its prayers answered as the drama of electing a new pope not only opened in the top five, but grabbed third place and $6.5 million.

We Live In Time, starring Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield as a young couple facing a medical crisis, retained fifth place.

The drama, which confused some moviegoers with its non-linear storyline, raked in $4.848 million this weekend.

The clown determined to destroy Christmas continues to wreak havoc, finishing in sixth place in its third weekend in theaters.

Terrify 3 starring Archie the Clown grossed $4.77 million from screenings in more than 2,700 theaters.

The Wild Robot comes in fourth place. The animated adventure adapted from the novel of the same name features the voices of Lupita Nyong’o and Pedro Pascal. The highly acclaimed film, which could be a major contender come awards season, earned $6.5 million this weekend.

We Live In Time, starring Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield as a young couple facing a medical crisis, retained fifth place. The drama, which confused some moviegoers with its non-linear storyline, raked in $4.848 million this weekend.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice continues to delight audiences, answering the call in seventh place.

The dark comedy starring Jenna Ortega, Michael Keaton and Winona Rider handed out thrills, chills and laughs to the tune of $3.23 million.

Anora debuted at number eight. The romantic comedy starring Mikey Madison as a sex worker who impulsively marries the son of a Russian oligarch only to have his new in-laws fly to the United States intending to break up the wedding grossed $867,142 in limited release.

The comedy written and directed by Sean Baker won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. The film also received a 99 percent rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

The clown determined to destroy Christmas continues to wreak havoc, finishing in sixth place in its third weekend in theaters. Terrifier 3 starring Archie the Clown grossed $4.77 million from screenings in over 2,700 theaters

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice continues to delight audiences, answering the call in seventh place. The dark comedy starring Jenna Ortega, Michael Keaton and Winona Rider brought thrills, chills and laughs to the tune of $3.23 million.

Anora debuted at number eight. The romantic comedy starring Mikey Madison as a sex worker who impulsively marries the son of a Russian oligarch only to see her new in-laws fly to the United States with the intention of break up the marriage. It grossed $867,142 in limited release.

Pharrell Williams’ Piece by Piece dropped to ninth place by collecting $720,110 in its third week at the box office. Transformers One rounds out the top 10, with $720,000 in ticket sales

Piece by Piece by Pharrell Williams falls to ninth place.

The animated biopic featuring characters made from Lego blocks grossed $720,110 in its third week at the box office.

Transformers One completes the top 10.

The animated adventure that reveals the origin story of Optimus Prime and his nemesis Megatron walked away with $720,000 in ticket sales.