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Twisters: A whirlwind at the box office
A stormy sequel with mixed international reception
“Twisters,” the standalone sequel to the 1996 disaster epic “Twister,” has taken the box office by storm, though its impact varies significantly between domestic and international audiences. Over the weekend, the film raked in $27.1 million from 76 foreign territories, bringing its overseas total to $42 million. However, it has been far more powerful at the domestic box office, where ticket sales soared to $80.5 million. Globally, “Twisters” has grossed $123.2 million to date.
For those eager to catch a glimpse of the action, you can watch the trailer here: Twisters Trailer.
International markets: A mixed bag
Outside of the U.S. and Canada, the film’s biggest markets this weekend were the United Kingdom ($5.5 million), Mexico ($2.5 million), Australia ($2 million), and France ($1.9 million). However, “Twisters” misfired in China, earning a mere $1.5 million in its debut. Imax screens contributed $2.2 million internationally and $11.2 million globally for the weekend.
Production and distribution
“Twisters” cost a hefty $155 million to produce, not including the substantial global marketing efforts. Universal Pictures backed the movie and released it domestically, while Warner Bros. holds the international rights. The film has yet to open in Japan or Korea, which could potentially boost its international earnings.
The cast and crew: A new generation of storm chasers
Directed by “Minari” filmmaker Lee Isaac Chung, “Twisters” features a fresh cast, including Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, and Anthony Ramos. They play a new group of storm chasers who find themselves in the fight of their lives as multiple tornadoes converge over central Oklahoma. The original “Twister,” starring Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton, Cary Elwes, and Philip Seymour Hoffman, became a massive hit, grossing nearly $500 million globally and earning two Oscar nominations.
Other box office hits: Despicable Me 4 and Inside Out 2
While “Twisters” is making waves, other films are also capturing audience attention. Universal and Illumination’s sequel “Despicable Me 4” added $52 million from 79 markets. The animated family film has generated $315 million overseas and $574 million globally. The franchise, which includes the popular “Minions” movies, recently became the first animated series to top $5 billion at the global box office. Watch the trailer here: Despicable Me 4 Trailer.
Another animated juggernaut, Disney’s Pixar sequel “Inside Out 2,” collected $34.2 million from 51 territories over the weekend. After six weeks of release, the film has generated a massive $846.9 million overseas and $1.443 billion worldwide. The second ”Inside Out” is expected to soon surpass “Frozen 2” ($1.45 billion) as the highest-grossing animated film in history. It’s also about to overtake “Barbie” ($1.446 billion) as the 14th biggest movie of all time. Watch the trailer here: Inside Out 2 Trailer.
Reflecting on the storm
The varied reception of “Twisters” across different markets raises intriguing questions about the global appeal of disaster films. While the domestic audience seems captivated, international viewers are more reserved. Could it be the cultural differences in how natural disasters are perceived, or perhaps the marketing strategies employed? As the film continues its global rollout, it will be fascinating to see how it performs in other major markets like Japan and Korea.
“Twisters” serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of both weather and the box office. As audiences around the world continue to flock to theaters, the film industry remains a dynamic and ever-evolving landscape, full of surprises and new stories waiting to be told.
