The last weekend of summer is turning out to be a big one for Denzel Washington’s farewell to the “Equalizer” franchise, and for his reunion with Dakota Fanning, his 2004 “Man on Fire” co-star, now all grown up and playing a CIA analyst.

Decent reviews and an ominpresent trailer and TV commercial campaign pushed “The Equalizer 3” close to $4 million Thursday afternoon and evening, and that folds into a Friday that points it towards a $30 million 3-day/near $35-40 million four day Labor Day weekend, according to Deadline.com

That’s notable for breaking the norm re: Labor Day weekend releases. The fact that one of the best actors in the business doesn’t work all that much helps, too.

“Barbie” moves back into second place as it is set to clear $9 million this weekend, $11-12 by midnight Monday. The movie of the summer has taken in well over $600 million at the North American box office, and Warners may have to give Greta Gerwig the keys to the store, a daunting prospect since they already gave those to James Gunn. The sillies.

“Gran Turismo” started fast and is finishing…fast. It’s falling off 60-70% on its second weekend, but it earned decent money all week, and is pulling in over $6 for three days, over $8 for four.

That should/may/probably-possibly will better “Blue Beetle,” which is holding well in the lower part of the box office top five, with a $6.4 million weekend, just under $8 four day. The comic book movie’s earned twice what “Gran Turismo” has.

Christopher Nolan’s 3 hours+ epic “Oppenheimer” is still in the top five, looking at a $5 million or so three-day weekend, over $6 and change for four, over $300 million and still counting.

No word yet on how big “Bottoms” will turn out to be in wide (ahem) release.

As always, these figures will be adjusted as more data comes in Sat. and Sunday AM.