A24’s latest film, Dicks: The Musical, made a splash with its limited opening, grossing an impressive $220,867 on just seven screens in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Directed by Larry Charles, known for his work on Borat and Seinfeld, the R-rated romp exceeded expectations and garnered positive buzz ahead of a national rollout starting on October 20th.
Dicks: The Musical is based on a stage show created by comedians Josh Sharp and Aaron Jackson. The comedic duo also star in the film as self-obsessed businessmen who discover they are long-lost identical twins. Together, they plot the reunion of their eccentric divorced parents, portrayed by Nathan Lane and Megan Mullally. The film boasts an ensemble cast, including Bowen Yang as God and rapper Megan Thee Stallion, who delivers an original song titled “Out Alpha The Alpha.”
Dicks: The Musical achieved an impressive per-screen average of $31,552, which includes sold-out Q&As in New York and Los Angeles. The film’s success can be attributed to its hilarious premise, talented ensemble cast, and the immense popularity of the original stage show. Fans eagerly flocked to theaters to catch this uproarious comedy.
Accompanying the film’s release, the soundtrack for Dicks: The Musical was made available to fans. The original score was composed by Marius de Vries, known for his work on Moulin Rouge! and Coda. Additionally, Karl Saint Lucy contributed to the score, while Josh Sharp and Aaron Jackson, who co-wrote the music for the original stage play titled F***ing Identical Twins, created the songs for the film.
Dicks: The Musical premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and won the prestigious People’s Choice Award. This accolade further cemented the film’s appeal and generated buzz around its upcoming release. Audiences and critics alike praised the film for its comedic storytelling, talented cast, and ability to entertain and delight.
When comparing the limited opening of Dicks: The Musical to other films released on a few screens, it becomes evident that the film performed exceptionally well. Craig Gillepsie’s Dumb Money grossed $217,000 with a $27,000 per-screen average at eight locations, while Emma Seligman’s Bottoms debuted with $516,000 on ten screens, amounting to a per-screen average of $51,600. Ari Aster’s Beau Is Afraid made $320,396 at four locations, resulting in a per-screen average of $80,000. The success of these comparable films solidifies Dicks: The Musical’s strong performance at the box office.
The release of Dicks: The Musical coincided with several other indie films hitting theaters, showcasing the diversity and strength of the independent film scene. Magnolia Pictures’ music documentary Joan Baez I Am A Noise grossed $17,000 at the Film Forum in New York City. The film delves into the legendary singer and activist Joan Baez’s 60-year career, emotional struggles, civil rights work with Martin Luther King Jr., and her heartbreaking romance with a young Bob Dylan.
Vertical’s romantic comedy She Came To Me had a wider release than usual for the distributor, grossing an estimated $360,000 on 355 screens. The film had impressive showings in major markets such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Phoenix. The opening night screening in Berlin sold out and garnered positive reviews. Her evening sneak preview at the Angelika Film Center similarly saw a sold-out audience, followed by a Q&A with director Rebecca Miller and surprise moderator Bradley Cooper. The per-screen average was estimated at $1,014.
Neon’s The Royal Hotel, directed by Kitty Green, grossed an estimated $335,000 on 267 screens, averaging $1,255 per screen. This psychological thriller, starring Jessica Henwick, Julia Garner, and Hugo Weaving, captivated audiences with its suspenseful storytelling and stellar performances.
Sony Pictures Classic released Pedro Almodóvar’s short film Strange Way of Life, which grossed $205,050 on 276 screens, resulting in a per-screen average of $743. The Western short features acclaimed actors Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal and premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. In addition to this short, audiences also enjoyed Almodóvar’s 2021 short, The Human Voice.
Lastly, IFC Films’ horror film When Evil Lurks by Argentine director Demián Rugna premiered at TIFF’s Midnight Madness and grossed an impressive $200,233 on 659 screens, boasting a per-screen average of $304. This terrifying film kept audiences on the edge of their seats and further solidified Rugna’s reputation as a master of the horror genre.
Rialto Pictures released Susanna Fogel’s Cat Person, which had a limited opening on four screens in New York City and Los Angeles. It grossed an estimated $10,000, with the IFC Center in New York City contributing $8,800 to the total box office. Cat Person stars Emilia Jones, Nichola Braun, and Geraldine Viswanathan and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, garnering critical acclaim for its poignant storytelling and compelling performances.
A24’s Dicks: The Musical achieved a remarkable limited opening, generating significant box office revenue and setting the stage for a successful national rollout. The film’s star-studded cast, uproarious comedic premise, and the popularity of the original stage show contributed to its favorable reception. Furthermore, the success of Dicks: The Musical was complemented by the strong performance of other indie films, demonstrating the vibrancy and diversity of the independent film scene. Moviegoers eagerly anticipate the wider release of Dicks: The Musical and the opportunity to experience this hilarious and entertaining musical comedy.