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Box Office Numbers: ’28 Years later’ Surprises, ‘Elio‘ Faces Challenges
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Sony’s “28 Years Later” is exceeding expectations at the domestic box office, while Pixar’s “Elio” is facing a potentially record-breaking low debut. Simultaneously occurring, “How to Train Your dragon” continues its reign at the top of the North American charts.
’28 Years Later’ Exceeds Projections
“28 Years Later” is off to a strong start,projected to open with over $30 million,surpassing initial forecasts. This is a positive sign for the $60 million production, which Sony secured in a competitive bidding war. The film reunites director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland, revisiting the zombie thriller concept from “28 Days Later” (2002), though this installment arrives 23 years later. A sequel, “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple,” directed by Nia dacosta, is already filmed and slated for release in January 2026. The fate of a potential third film hinges on the box office performance of this current release.
Reviews for “28 Years Later” have been largely positive, praising the new cast featuring Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes, and Alfie Williams. However,audience reception is more divided,with CinemaScore polling early moviegoers to a “B” grade. This score is not uncommon for horror films, which often receive lower grades.
Did You Know? cinemascore is a market research firm that surveys moviegoers on their viewing experience, assigning letter grades to films based on audience feedback.
Pixar’s ‘Elio’ Faces Uphill Battle
In contrast, “Elio” earned $9 million from Friday and preview screenings across 3,750 locations. This marks a notable downturn for Pixar, which celebrated its second-biggest North American opening just a year ago with “Inside Out 2” ($155 million), now the second-highest-grossing animated feature ever.Projections indicate that “Elio” could have Pixar’s lowest domestic debut, falling behind “Elemental‘s” $29 million opening in 2023.
While “Elemental” recovered to become a modest success with $484 million globally and a 5.22x multiplier, “Elio,” despite better reviews and an “A” CinemaScore, faces a challenging start. The film’s production cost was $150 million.
‘How to Train Your Dragon‘ Continues to Soar
Universal’s “How to Train Your Dragon” remains the top performer in its second weekend, earning an additional $10.8 million on Friday. The film is projected to earn $35.7 million in its second weekend, a 58% drop from its opening. Its total domestic gross is expected to reach $160 million within its first 10 days,making it the seventh-highest-grossing North American release of the year.
other Box Office Highlights
Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch,” another live-action remake, secured fourth place, adding $3 million on Friday. In its fifth weekend, the PG-rated comedy is projected to earn $10 million over the three-day frame, bringing its domestic total to $387 million. This weekend, it surpasses “harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: part II” ($382 million) to become the 55th-highest-grossing domestic film of all time.
Paramount’s “Mission: Impractical – The Final Reckoning” maintains a strong hold, projecting a 33% drop in its fifth weekend. The Tom Cruise action sequel is expected to reach $178.9 million domestically after the weekend, surpassing its 2023 predecessor, “Dead Reckoning,” which finished with $171 million.
A24’s “Materialists” is showing a decent hold in sixth place, projecting a sophomore outing of about $6 million, which would mark a 45% drop from its opening. Domestic total should hit $24 million through 10 days.
Magenta Light Studios’ “Bride Hard,” starring Rebel Wilson, opened in 1,165 locations but is struggling to reach $1 million in its debut due to poor reviews and a “B-” CinemaScore.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on CinemaScore grades as an indicator of long-term box office potential. While critical acclaim is critically important, audience reception frequently enough dictates a film’s overall success.
Weekend Box Office projections
| Film | Projected Weekend Gross |
|---|---|
| How to Train Your Dragon | $35.7 Million |
| 28 Years Later | Over $30 Million |
| Lilo & Stitch |
