“Fantastic Four” Leads Box Office, “Naked Gun” Scores Strong Debut

August Kicks Off with Mixed Studio Results Amidst Shifting Audiences

The first weekend of August is witnessing a steady performance from “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” which continues to dominate the box office. Meanwhile, the reboot of “The Naked Gun” has made a surprisingly strong entrance, signaling potential for the revival of big-screen comedies.

“Fantastic Four” Maintains Momentum

Marvel Studios’ “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” garnered an estimated $40 million in its second weekend, bringing its domestic total to $198.4 million. This represents a 66% drop from its opening, a decline comparable to “Captain America: Brave New World.” The film has maintained its premium screen placements, a testament to its continued draw.

“The Naked Gun” Reboots to Solid Opening

Paramount’s revival of “The Naked Gun,” starring **Liam Neeson**, debuted to $16.5 million across 3,344 theaters. This figure makes it the second-highest opening for the franchise, trailing only the inflation-adjusted gross of the 1991 sequel. The comedy earned an A- CinemaScore, mirroring the original 1988 film, and boasts strong audience reception, particularly among the 25-34 demographic.

The film’s success marks a significant opening for **Liam Neeson** as a leading star since 2014’s “Taken 3.” Its performance also surpasses that of the Jennifer Lawrence comedy “No Hard Feelings” from last year. According to Nielsen, the average movie ticket price in the U.S. was $10.54 in Q2 2024, making “The Naked Gun’s” opening particularly noteworthy.

“The Bad Guys 2” Delivers Promising Numbers

DreamWorks Animation’s “The Bad Guys 2” animated sequel opened to an estimated $22.8 million from 3,852 locations. This performance slightly outpaces the original “The Bad Guys” debut and aligns with audience expectations, earning an A CinemaScore. The film resonated particularly well with younger audiences and across Southern, Midwestern, and Mountain regions.

“Superman” and “Jurassic World Rebirth” Surpass $300 Million Milestones

DC Studios’ “Superman” has now grossed $316.3 million domestically in its fourth week, pacing slightly behind “The Batman.” Meanwhile, Universal’s “Jurassic World Rebirth” has reached $317.3 million, positioning 2025 as a strong year for blockbuster releases, with four films surpassing the $300 million mark domestically.

“Together” Garners Niche Appeal

Neon’s romantic horror “Together” earned between $6 million and $7 million over the three-day weekend, with a projected five-day total of $10 million to $11 million. The film, which garnered a C+ CinemaScore, is performing on par with similar genre films like “Midsommar,” demonstrating a solid audience draw for its unique premise.

Key Weekend Box Office Results:

• The Fantastic Four: First Steps (Dis): $40M (Wk 2), $198.4M Total
• The Bad Guys 2 (Uni): $22.8M (Wk 1)
• The Naked Gun (Par): $16.5M (Wk 1)
• Superman (WB): $14M (Wk 4), $316.3M Total
• Jurassic World Rebirth (Uni): $8.4M (Wk 5), $317.3M Total
• Together (NEON): $6M-$7M (Wk 1)