Box office: ‘Dracula Untold’ unearths $1.3 million Thursday night

“Dracula Untold,” the new movie that chronicles the origins of the legendary vampire, drew first blood at the box office Thursday night.

The $70-million horror-science fiction adventure from Universal Pictures and Legendary Pictures grossed $1.3 million from late night shows on Thursday in 2,133 theaters as it enters a busy weekend at cinemas.

Starring Luke Evans, “Dracula Untold” mashes up vampire mythology and the true story of Vlad the Impaler.

“Dracula” is expected to take in up to $18 million in ticket sales through Sunday in the U.S. and Canada. It will have to contend with Disney’s family film “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day,” Warner Bros.’ courtroom drama “The Judge” and last week’s victor “Gone Girl.”

Box-office forecasters are giving the edge to “Gone Girl,” directed by David Fincher, going into the weekend. New Line’s horror spinoff “Annabelle” should also be a factor.

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