Universal

Emily Blunt‘s “The Girl on the Train” left the station with a solid $1.23 million at the Thursday previews, on track to earn $20 million this opening weekend.

Starring Justin Theroux, Haley Bennett and Luke Evans, the adult drama from DreamWorks Pictures was produced for $40 million and is opening in 3,135 theaters this weekend via Universal Pictures. Tate Taylor (“The Help”) directed, based on the novel of the same name by Paula Hawkins. Experts say the film could open at $30 million.

In comparison, September’s adult drama, “Sully,” earned $1.35 million at the Thursday previews and ended up grossing $35.5 million its opening weekend. 2014’s “Gone Girl,” another book-to-screen adaptation that had a built-in fanbase, earned $1.25 million at the Thursday box office.

Also Read: 'Birth of a Nation' Is a 'Powerfully Affecting Film' That 'Deserves to Be Seen,' Critics Praise

“The Girl on the Train” has gotten mixed reviews so far. It currently holds a score of 46 percent on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.

This weekend also marks the opening of the highly-anticipated slave revolt drama, “The Birth of the Nation.” Nate Parker wrote, directed and stars in the film alongside Aja Naomi King, Armie Hammer, Gabrielle Union and Penelope Ann Miller.

The film is expected to gross around $9 million. It was bought by Fox Searchlight at this year’s Sundance Film Festival for a record-breaking $17.5 million.

Also Read: 'Birth of a Nation' Opening Sparks Silent Vigil by Sexual Assault Activists

“The Birth of a Nation,” produced for a reported $10 million, stars Parker as Nat Turner, who led a 48-hour slave rebellion against his white masters.

It will likely finish in third place this weekend, behind holdover “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.” Reviews for “Birth” are strong despite the controversy that has swirled around Parker and the film. Parker became embroiled in a rape case at Penn State nearly two decades ago. He was acquitted on charges from a now-deceased accuser, who committed suicide several years ago.

“Birth of a Nation” currently holds a “fresh” rating of 77 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

'The Birth of a Nation' and 13 Other Movies You Only Want to Watch Once (Photos)

Sometimes the truth hurts. As "The Birth of a Nation" opens in theaters this weekend, it joins a select group of movies that have been both venerated by film buffs, but also contain scenes that are so tragic, disturbing or brutal that audiences aren't jumping at the chance at repeat viewing.
Fox Searchlight
1. "127 Hours" (2010)
Do you want to watch James Franco cut his arm off again? We didn't think so.
Fox Searchlight
2. "12 Years a Slave" (2013)
Lupita Nyong'o won an Oscar for her role in this widely-lauded slavery drama. Depicting a woman who receives life-threatening lashes and is repeatedly raped, it's her scenes that are easily the most difficult on viewers.

Also Read: ‘Birth of a Nation’ Is a ‘Powerfully Affecting Film’ That ‘Deserves to Be Seen,’ Critics Praise
Fox Searchlight
3. "In the Land of Blood and Honey" (2011)
Angelina Jolie's feature film directorial debut depicts the brutalities of the 1990s-era Bosnian War. One scene involving an infant is so gut-wrenching, moviegoing audiences were reported to have either left the theater or covered their eyes.
GK Films
4. "Precious" (2009)
The Oscar-winning drama about an overweight, abused, illiterate teen who becomes pregnant with her second child, starred Gabourey Sidibe in her breakout role. While it received critical raves and awards, it reflects a side of society that's likely excruciating to witness for many.

Also Read: ‘Birth of a Nation’ Scandal: Timeline of Nate Parker’s Case
Lionsgate
5. "The Revenant" (2015)
While beautifully shot, Alejandro G. Iñárritu's Oscar-winning drama features Leonardo DiCaprio on a protracted journey of survival through the unforgiving wilderness. Two words: Bear attack.
20th Century Fox
6. "Pink Flamingos" (1972)
John Waters' cult classic pre-dates gross-out humor popularized in the 1990s by two decades. Pictured here, Divine, who played a version of herself in the fictional comedy, is seen eating a pig's face. But in the film's most famous scene, she eats dog feces.
New Line Cinema
7. "Schindler's List" (1993)
If you aren't deeply moved upon viewing Steven Spielberg's seven-time Oscar-winning Holocaust film, there's something wrong with you.

Also Read: Why Black Audiences Are Conflicted Over Nate Parker’s ‘Birth of a Nation’
Universal
8. "Requiem For a Dream" (2000)
Jared Leto and Jennifer Connelly definitely don't make heroin addiction seem glamorous in this Darren Aronofsky drama.
Artisan Entertainment
9. "American History X" (1998)
Edward Norton is pure evil as a Los Angeles-based Neo-Nazi with violent tendencies. One particularly gruesome scene involves someone's head being bashed into a curb -- a sequence in celluloid history that once witnessed, can never be forgotten.
New Line Cinema
10. "Hotel Rwanda" (2004)
Starring Don Cheadle and Sophie Okonedo, the horrors of genocide are depicted in this drama. Let's just say, no one's keeping their eyes peeled for a sequel.

Also Read: Sexual Assault Victims to Protest Nate Parker’s ‘Birth of a Nation’ Opening Night
United Artists
11. "Deliverance" (1972)
Featuring a much younger Burt Reynolds, Jon Voight and Ned Beatty, this dramatic thriller revolves around a river-rafting trip that turns violent and dangerous in the backwoods of Georgia. And yes, there's a creepy dueling-banjos rape scene.
Warner Bros.
12. "Goat" (2016)
Of all the frat house films in cinema history, this one isn't funny. "Goat" depicts savagery that college freshman pledges endure. One scene involving duct tape placed over the face of a pledge may leave audiences gasping for breath.
Paramount
13. "City of God" (2002)
This brutal-but-acclaimed Brazilian film, about the lives of two boys in Rio de Janeiro who take two very different paths, depicts kids killing kids in street gang warfare. It's not easy on the eyes.

Also Read: ‘The Birth of a Nation’ Review: Nate Parker’s Slave Uprising Drama Has Passion to Spare
Miramax

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Some truly great films are too tough to see twice

Sometimes the truth hurts. As "The Birth of a Nation" opens in theaters this weekend, it joins a select group of movies that have been both venerated by film buffs, but also contain scenes that are so tragic, disturbing or brutal that audiences aren't jumping at the chance at repeat viewing.

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