Alien: Romulus takes the box office by storm
A new chapter in the sci-fi horror saga
The latest installment in the iconic Alien franchise, Alien: Romulus, has made a significant impact at the global box office, raking in an impressive $108.2 million during its debut. This includes $66.7 million from 49 international territories, showcasing the film’s widespread appeal.
International success and comparisons
Disney, the studio behind this new chapter, has reported that overseas ticket sales for Alien: Romulus are outpacing those of A Quiet Place: Day One by 47% and Prometheus by 17% in comparable markets. This is a promising trajectory, considering A Quiet Place: Day One grossed $122 million internationally, while Prometheus concluded its international run with $276 million.
Domestic performance and key markets
In the domestic market, Alien: Romulus garnered $41.5 million in its opening weekend, making it the second-highest debut in the series, just behind Prometheus ($51 million). The film’s performance in China was particularly noteworthy, with a $25.7 million debut, marking the second-biggest opening of the year for a Hollywood film in the country. Other top-earning territories included Korea ($5.4 million), the United Kingdom ($4.8 million), and France ($3.8 million).
The story and the cast
Directed by Fede Alvarez (known for Don’t Breathe), Alien: Romulus is the seventh installment in the franchise that began 45 years ago with Ridley Scott’s 1979 classic, Alien. This latest entry, which had a production budget of $80 million, follows a group of young intergalactic colonists, including Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, and Isabela Merced, who encounter a terrifying life form while scavenging a rundown space station. For more details, you can watch the Alien: Romulus trailer.
Expert insights
David A. Gross, who runs the movie consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research, commented on the film’s success, noting that a significant portion of the Alien franchise’s success has historically come from overseas markets. He anticipates that Romulus will follow this pattern, although he also expects some variation due to the impact of the pandemic on the foreign box office for horror movies.
It Ends With Us: A sleeper hit
A literary sensation on the big screen
It Ends With Us, starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, has quietly become a sleeper hit. Over the weekend, the film added $33.1 million to its international box office tally, bringing its overseas total to $82.2 million. This adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s literary sensation has surpassed $180 million globally in just 10 days of release. Co-financed by Sony Pictures and Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios for $25 million, the film’s success has resulted in enviable profit margins. For more information, check out the It Ends With Us trailer.
Deadpool & Wolverine: A record-breaking adventure
Marvel’s latest triumph
Disney’s Marvel adventure, Deadpool & Wolverine, also enjoyed a successful weekend, earning $32.9 million from 52 overseas markets and $61.9 million globally. After four weekends of release, the film, led by Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, has amassed a staggering $596.8 million internationally and $545.8 million in North America. Earlier this week, Deadpool & Wolverine surpassed Joker to become the highest-grossing R-rated movie in history, with a global total of $1.14 billion. For more details, you can watch the Deadpool & Wolverine trailer.
Reflections on the cinematic landscape
As a cinema enthusiast, it’s fascinating to observe how different genres and franchises perform across various markets. The success of Alien: Romulus highlights the enduring appeal of the Alien franchise, while the sleeper hit status of It Ends With Us demonstrates the power of literary adaptations. Meanwhile, the record-breaking performance of Deadpool & Wolverine underscores the continued dominance of superhero films in the global box office.
These box office results not only reflect the current trends in the film industry but also offer insights into audience preferences and the evolving landscape of global cinema. Whether you’re a fan of sci-fi horror, literary adaptations, or superhero adventures, there’s no denying that the world of cinema continues to captivate and entertain audiences worldwide.