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The rise of “Longlegs”: A horror mystery that defied expectations
In a surprising turn of events, the occult-tinged horror mystery “Longlegs” has taken the box office by storm, opening to a phenomenal $22.6 million. This impressive debut easily outgrossed the $100 million rom-com “Fly Me to the Moon,” which features Hollywood heavyweights Channing Tatum and Scarlett Johansson.
Nicolas Cage’s creepy performance steals the show
“Longlegs,” directed by Osgood Perkins and starring Maika Monroe, owes much of its success to the sensational reviews and a particularly creepy performance by Nicolas Cage. The film’s opening weekend results mark a record-best debut for Neon, the indie distributor behind the movie. Neon’s viral marketing campaign, which included a “90s-style website” and a demented phone message from Cage, played a crucial role in generating word-of-mouth buzz. This strategy harks back to the marketing playbooks of cult hits like “The Blair Witch Project” and “Snakes on a Plane.”
For more details, check out the trailer and information sheet for Longlegs.
A cost-effective success story
What makes “Longlegs” even more impressive is its cost-effectiveness. Neon acquired the movie for under $10 million and spent roughly the same amount on marketing and distribution. Elissa Federoff, Neon’s chief distribution officer, expressed her excitement, stating, “Working with the film’s creative team, we have been able to put together something really special.”
“Despicable Me 4” retains its box office crown
Despite the success of “Longlegs,” the top slot at the box office went to “Despicable Me 4,” which earned $44.6 million in its second weekend. This animated comedy from Universal and Illumination has pushed its domestic total to $211.1 million. The “Despicable Me” series recently topped $5 billion at the global box office, becoming the first animated franchise to hit that milestone. The companies have already announced “Minions 3,” scheduled for release in 2027.
For more details, check out the trailer and information sheet for Despicable Me 4.
“Fly Me to the Moon” falls short
“Fly Me to the Moon,” directed by Greg Berlanti, had to settle for fifth place with a disappointing $10 million opening. Despite its lavish budget, the film’s theatrical run is expected to lose money. However, Apple Original Films, which financed the movie, believes that theatrical runs raise the profile of its movies before they launch on Apple TV+. The film earned solid reviews, with many critics praising its fresh spin on the romantic comedy genre.
For more details, check out the trailer and information sheet for Fly Me to the Moon.
Other notable box office performances
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“Inside Out 2”: This Disney and Pixar sequel grabbed third place with $20.8 million in its fifth weekend. It has earned $572.6 million domestically and $1.35 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film in Pixar’s history. For more details, check out the trailer and information sheet for Inside Out 2.
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“A Quiet Place: Day One”: Paramount’s horror prequel earned $11.8 million, bringing its domestic total to $116.2 million. It has crossed the $200 million mark at the worldwide box office. For more details, check out the trailer and information sheet for A Quiet Place: Day One.
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“Sing Sing”: A24’s prison drama, starring Coleman Domingo and Clarence Maclin, impressed in limited release with a $34,280 per-screen average. A nationwide expansion begins in August. For more details, check out the trailer and information sheet for Sing Sing.
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“Touch”: Focus Features debuted this romantic drama from director Baltasar Kormákur in 315 theaters, earning $470,000. For more details, check out the trailer and information sheet for Touch.
Reflecting on the summer box office
Last year, “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” topped the box office with $54.7 million, while “Sound of Freedom” continued to generate healthy returns. Although ticket sales for this summer have lagged behind those of 2023, hits like “Despicable Me 4” and “Inside Out 2” have helped narrow the gap. Revenues were off nearly 25% in May, but now grosses are down 16.2%.
Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore, remains optimistic, stating, “We’re not in a great place, but it could have been a lot worse.” With major new releases like “Twisters” and “Deadpool & Wolverine” on the horizon, the hope is that the summer box office can recover further.
For more details, check out the trailer and information sheet for Twisters and Deadpool & Wolverine.
As we look ahead, the film industry continues to evolve, with new strategies and unexpected hits shaping the landscape. The success of “Longlegs” serves as a reminder that creativity and effective marketing can defy even the most conservative expectations.
