Colleen Hoover’s ‘It Ends With Us’ makes a splash at the box office

A literary sensation turned cinematic triumph

Colleen Hoover’s beloved novel, It Ends With Us, has made a remarkable transition from page to screen, captivating audiences and raking in an impressive $50 million during its opening weekend. Directed by and starring Justin Baldoni, alongside Blake Lively, this Sony Pictures production has proven to be a significant success, especially considering its $25 million budget.

It Ends With Us follows the emotional journey of Lily Bloom (Lively), a small business owner entangled in a complex love triangle with Ryle (Baldoni), a charming yet abusive neurosurgeon, and Atlas (Brandon Sklenar), her first love. Despite mixed reviews from critics, the film has resonated deeply with audiences, earning an “A-” on CinemaScore. For those eager to dive into the story, you can watch the trailer here.

A rare win for romantic dramas

David A. Gross, a seasoned analyst in the film industry, notes, “This is a sensational opening for a dramatic romance film. Pure romance is not typically a big performer at the box office, but occasionally the right story, based on the right book, comes along. With a well-cast female lead, the movie catches fire. That’s happening here.”

Box office competition: ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ reigns supreme

Despite its strong debut, It Ends With Us narrowly missed the top spot, which was claimed by Deadpool & Wolverine. This Marvel superhero adventure, starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, added approximately $55 million from 4,330 screens in its third weekend. The film has dominated the box office for three consecutive weekends, amassing a staggering $494 million domestically. Check out the trailer for Deadpool & Wolverine here.

‘Borderlands’ stumbles out of the gate

In contrast, Lionsgate’s video game adaptation Borderlands, featuring Cate Blanchett, struggled with a disappointing $8.8 million from 3,125 theaters. This placed it fourth, behind Twisters, which garnered $15.4 million in its fourth weekend. Despite covering nearly 60% of its production costs through international presales, Borderlands fell short of expectations, given its $115 million production budget and $30 million marketing costs. The film, directed by Eli Roth, has been poorly received, with a 10% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a “D+” CinemaScore. Watch the trailer for Borderlands here.

A closer look at ‘Borderlands’

Borderlands tells the story of Lilith (Blanchett), an infamous outlaw with a mysterious past, who returns to her home planet of Pandora to form an unexpected alliance in search of the missing daughter of Atlas. The star-studded cast includes Jack Black, Edgar Ramírez, Ariana Greenblatt, and Jamie Lee Curtis. Despite its potential, the film has been criticized for its lack of humor and engaging content. Gross comments, “If an action comedy is going to work, it has to be funny, and almost no one thinks this picture is.”

Indie and limited releases: ‘Cuckoo’ and ‘Sing Sing’

On the indie front, Neon’s low-budget horror film Cuckoo brought in $3 million from 1,503 theaters in its first weekend. Starring Hunter Schafer, known for her role in Euphoria, the film follows a teenager who moves to the German Alps to live with her father, only to be disturbed by strange occurrences. Produced on a $7 million budget, Cuckoo has intrigued horror enthusiasts. Watch the trailer for Cuckoo here.

In limited release, A24’s drama Sing Sing added $226,965 while playing on 39 screens across major U.S. markets. The film, starring newly minted Oscar nominee Colman Domingo, is based on the real Rehabilitation Through the Arts program at Sing Sing maximum security prison. As the film continues to expand its screen count throughout August, it promises to reach a wider audience. Watch the trailer for Sing Sing here.

Final thoughts

The cinematic landscape is ever-evolving, with each weekend bringing new surprises and shifts in audience preferences. From the romantic highs of It Ends With Us to the superhero dominance of Deadpool & Wolverine, and the indie charm of Cuckoo and Sing Sing, there’s something for every movie enthusiast. As we continue to explore these stories, it’s clear that the magic of cinema lies in its ability to transport us to different worlds, evoke deep emotions, and spark meaningful conversations.