The box office performance of James Gunn’s Superman is currently a hot topic of discussion among film enthusiasts and industry analysts. While the film enjoyed a robust domestic opening, drawing in significant audiences, its international earnings have not met the initial expectations set by the studio. In fact, when we take inflation into account, Man of Steel outshines Gunn’s recent release, highlighting how both films struggled in comparison to the overwhelming success of Batman v Superman and Matt Reeves’s critically acclaimed The Batman. This context adds an interesting layer to the ongoing discourse surrounding superhero films and their market viability.
Despite the mixed reception, Superman demonstrated a stronger hold in its second weekend than Zack Snyder’s film, experiencing a relatively modest drop of 54% in ticket sales. In contrast, Man of Steel faced a steeper decline of 65%, which was above initial predictions. This weekend, Superman raked in $57.2 million, bringing its total domestic gross to an impressive $235 million thus far. Projections indicate that it is on a trajectory to surpass the $300 million benchmark domestically, although it will face fierce competition in the upcoming weekend from Marvel’s Fantastic Four: First Steps, which is generating a significant amount of buzz and excitement among fans.
Another film that is defying expectations is Jurassic World: Rebirth, which surprised many by earning $23.4 million this weekend. This brings its total domestic earnings to a solid $276.1 million. While it is unlikely to match the monumental success of previous Jurassic World entries, it is still achieving respectable numbers in the current cinema landscape, showcasing that audiences remain engaged with the franchise despite recent challenges in the industry.
On the flip side, not every studio is reveling in success this weekend. Both Sony and Paramount faced significant setbacks with their latest releases, as two anticipated blockbusters underperformed drastically. Sony’s reboot of I Know What You Did Last Summer has added to the woes of the horror genre at the box office, managing to gross only $13 million. While the production budget was a modest $18 million, its debut result is disappointing, especially when compared to the original film’s opening nearly thirty years ago, as well as the poorly received sequel. This disappointing performance suggests that the franchise may remain dormant for the foreseeable future.
Moreover, Paramount’s Smurfs reboot stumbled even further, reaching a dismal $12 million opening despite featuring a star-studded voice cast that includes Rihanna as Smurfette. This underwhelming performance highlights the unpredictable nature of box office success, especially for family-oriented films that rely heavily on star power to attract audiences.
In a different vein, the film F1 continues to attract viewers, even after losing its premium screening slots. It grossed $9.6 million this weekend, bringing its total domestic earnings to $156 million. Although it may not reach the coveted $200 million milestone, its strong performance overseas has solidified its status as a significant success story in the current market.
Universal’s How to Train Your Dragon reboot is also enjoying a successful run, surpassing the $250 million mark this weekend. Fans of the franchise have shown immense support, and the film has received positive feedback. For those interested, we recently shared an engaging video from the press junket held in Norway, showcasing behind-the-scenes content and interviews with the cast.
Conversely, A24 is grappling with a challenging year, as their latest high-profile project, Eddington, failed to resonate with audiences despite boasting an impressive cast that includes stars like Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, Pedro Pascal, and Austin Butler, along with the talented director Ari Aster at the helm. This marks Aster’s second consecutive disappointment for A24, following the mixed reception of Beau Is Afraid. With critics offering unusually harsh reviews, one must question how long A24 will continue to support Aster’s increasingly polarizing vision in the film industry.
Additionally, Pixar is facing its own struggles as Elio plummeted to eighth place with just $2 million this weekend and a total domestic gross of $68 million. Fans are hopeful that the upcoming release of Hoppers, scheduled for this spring, will perform better. However, Disney is likely not too concerned, as Lilo & Stitch continues to soar, surpassing the impressive $418 million mark this weekend, showcasing the studio’s enduring appeal in the family entertainment sector.
Lastly, Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later concluded its underwhelming yet still profitable run, grossing $1.34 million this weekend and bringing its total earnings to $68.7 million. While it did not achieve blockbuster status, its profitability indicates that there is still a dedicated audience for Boyle’s unique storytelling style.
Looking ahead to next weekend, predictions are swirling about the potential opening of Fantastic Four: First Steps. How much do you think it will earn? Will it cross the $100 million threshold? We invite you to share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
