Several limited release films continued to perform well over the weekend, with Kalki 2898 AD standing out as a top performer. The Telugu sci-fi epic maintained a strong presence in its second weekend, securing the No. 8 spot on 925 screens. This is a noteworthy achievement, particularly for an Indian film, as they typically experience the majority of their box office success during the opening weekend.
Kalki 2898 AD surpassed Kill, a Hindi action film that debuted during the same weekend, with an impressive $1.79 million gross and a cumulative total of $16 million in North America. This makes it one of the highest-grossing Indian films in the region in over a year, outperforming recent hits like RRR and Animal. The success of Kalki demonstrates the growing popularity of Telugu cinema among international audiences.
While Kill received positive reviews and is set for an English-language remake by Lionsgate, it failed to resonate with the Indian diaspora and fans of the action genre. Despite a solid performance with $384.5k on 827 screens, Kill fell short of expectations. In contrast, Kinds of Kindness from Searchlight Pictures and Thelma from Magnolia Pictures continued to attract audiences in their third week of release, showcasing the diverse range of films available in the limited release market.
Film Movement’s Mother Couch, directed by Niclas Larsson and featuring a star-studded cast including Ewan McGregor, Rhys Ifans, Ellen Burstyn, and Laura Flynn Boyle, made a promising debut at the Angelika Film Center. The film grossed $9k from a single engagement, signaling a positive reception from audiences. With upcoming releases in Los Angeles and other top markets, Mother Couch has the potential to make a significant impact in the limited release landscape.
Overall, the success of Kalki 2898 AD highlights the increasing demand for diverse and unique storytelling in limited release films. As audiences continue to seek out innovative and original content, filmmakers have the opportunity to captivate viewers with fresh perspectives and untold stories. Limited release films play a crucial role in expanding the boundaries of cinema and showcasing the creative talents of filmmakers from around the world.