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Box office shake-up: ‘The Wild Robot’ soars while ‘Megalopolis’ stumbles
A new animated hit takes flight
Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s latest offering, The Wild Robot, has taken the box office by storm, debuting with an impressive $35 million from 3,962 theaters. This performance places it at the higher end of expectations and sets a promising tone for its theatrical run. The film, which cost $78 million to produce, has been well-received by both critics and audiences, boasting a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an “A” grade on CinemaScore.
The story behind ‘The Wild Robot’
The film features the voice talents of Lupita Nyong’o as Roz, a robot who finds herself stranded on a deserted island. As she navigates her new environment, Roz forms a touching bond with an orphaned gosling. The movie also includes voices from Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Bill Nighy, Mark Hamill, and Catherine O’Hara, who bring to life the various animals Roz encounters.
Positive reception and future prospects
“This is an excellent opening for a new animation film,” says industry analyst David A. Gross. “Animation releases have been holding extremely well after opening, especially when they’re received as enthusiastically as this. The movie should have a strong domestic run.” The film has already earned $18 million internationally, indicating a robust global appeal.
‘Megalopolis’ falters in its debut
In stark contrast, Francis Ford Coppola’s ambitious sci-fi epic, Megalopolis, has struggled to find its footing. The film managed to collect only $4 million from 7,854 North American theaters, falling short of its initial projections of $5 million to $7 million. This is a significant blow for a film with a $120 million budget.
The challenges of ‘Megalopolis’
The movie, which stars Adam Driver and Giancarlo Esposito, has received mixed reviews. While some critics have praised its bold vision, others have found it difficult to digest. The film’s CinemaScore of “D+” suggests that word of mouth may not help its future prospects. “The movie is an ambitious, personal vision. Sometimes a film like this beats the odds and makes a lot of money,” says Gross. “This one is not working. The result is going to be a big tax write-off.”
Marketing missteps
Lionsgate, which released the film in the U.S., is not responsible for its distribution or marketing costs. Coppola, who self-funded the project, is bearing the brunt of the financial burden. In an attempt to generate buzz, Lionsgate released a trailer quoting well-known film critics who initially dismissed Coppola’s earlier works, only to have those quotes later revealed as fabricated or AI-generated. This misstep led to the trailer being recalled.
Other notable box office performances
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ continues to charm
With The Wild Robot claiming the top spot, Tim Burton’s spooky sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, slid to second place. The film brought in $16 million from 3,804 venues in its fourth weekend, pushing its domestic total to $250 million and its global earnings to $342 million.
‘Transformers One’ drops to third
Paramount’s animated feature, Transformers One, featuring Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry as young Optimus Prime and Megatron, fell to the third spot. The movie earned $9.1 million from 3,970 locations, marking a 63% decline from its debut.
‘Devara: Part 1’ makes a strong debut
The Indian Telugu-language action film, Devara: Part 1, opened in fourth place, bringing in $6.7 million from just 1,040 theaters. This performance highlights the growing appeal of international films in the North American market.
‘Speak No Evil’ holds steady
Rounding out the top five is Universal and Blumhouse’s remake of the 2022 Danish horror thriller, Speak No Evil. The film, starring James McAvoy and Mackenzie Davis, earned $4.3 million from 2,661 theaters, a 27% decline from the previous weekend. So far, it has grossed $28 million in North America and $46 million worldwide.
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