August box office hits new heights in the UK and Ireland
A record-breaking month for cinema
The UK and Ireland box office soared to an impressive £120.2 million ($158.2 million) in August, marking the highest monthly total since the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon of July 2023, which raked in £160 million ($210.5 million). This resurgence in cinema attendance is a promising sign for the industry, narrowing the year-to-date deficit to 12%, a notable improvement from the 15% gap at the beginning of the month.
Top performers: Deadpool & Wolverine lead the charge
Disney’s Deadpool & Wolverine dominated the box office, amassing £29.7 million and pushing its total to £55.3 million. This sequel now ranks as the third-highest grossing 15-rated release, trailing only Joker (£58.2 million) and Oppenheimer (£59.7 million).
Sony’s It Ends With Us secured the second spot with £19.4 million, making it 2024’s seventh-highest grosser. This romantic drama marks Blake Lively’s biggest UK release to date. Universal’s Despicable Me 4 claimed third place, adding £16.9 million for a cumulative total of £45.2 million. The animated sequel is tracking close to its predecessors’ lifetime totals.
Horror and animation make their mark
Disney’s Alien: Romulus debuted at fourth with £11.5 million, becoming director Fede Alvarez’s top-grossing film and 2024’s highest-earning horror release. Inside Out 2, also from Disney, continued its strong run in fifth place, adding £7.2 million for a £58.4 million total. The sequel now stands as the third-highest grossing animated film of all time in the region.
Warner Bros.’ Twisters added £5.2 million to its tally, bringing its total to £14.2 million. Another Warner Bros. title, Trap, earned £3.7 million, while Trafalgar Releasing’s 15th anniversary re-release of Coraline brought in £3.2 million. Sony’s Harold and the Purple Crayon accumulated £2.9 million, and Warner Bros.’ Blink Twice rounded out the top performers with £2.2 million.
September’s promising lineup
September kicks off with Warner Bros.’ Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton and Jenna Ortega. Universal’s horror remake Speak No Evil, led by James McAvoy, opens mid-month alongside Studiocanal’s Kate Winslet war biopic Lee and Lionsgate’s The Critic, featuring Ian McKellen and Gemma Arterton.
The month continues with Signature Entertainment’s animated sequel 200% Wolf and Mubi’s body horror picture The Substance, starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley. Vertigo Releasing brings the animated fantasy Dragonkeeper to screens, while Icon Film Distribution presents the superhero horror reboot Hellboy: The Crooked Man.
Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis from United Artists Releasing arrives late in the month, accompanied by Lionsgate’s survival thriller Never Let Go. Studiocanal closes out September with the Saoirse Ronan-led drama The Outrun.
Reflecting on the cinematic journey
As a cinema enthusiast, it’s exhilarating to witness the resurgence of the box office. The diverse range of genres and the blend of sequels, reboots, and original content cater to a wide audience, ensuring that there’s something for everyone. The success of films like Deadpool & Wolverine and It Ends With Us highlights the audience’s appetite for both action-packed sequels and heartfelt dramas.
The upcoming releases in September promise to keep the momentum going, with a mix of horror, animation, and biopics. It’s a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the film industry, continually evolving to meet the changing tastes and preferences of its audience.
For those who love to immerse themselves in the world of cinema, these are exciting times. The box office numbers are more than just figures; they represent the collective experience of moviegoers, the thrill of anticipation, and the joy of storytelling. So, grab your popcorn, find your seat, and get ready for another month of cinematic magic.