The recent success of Toho International’s Godzilla Minus One at the U.S. box office has taken the film industry by storm. With an estimated three-day gross of $2.6 million and an Oscar nomination under its belt, Godzilla Minus One has captured the attention of moviegoers nationwide. This giant radioactive reptile has even achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the third highest-grossing foreign-language film in the United States, surpassing the likes of Hero and Parasite. As it approaches its final days in theaters, Godzilla Minus One is expected to surpass the $55 million mark, aiming to overtake Life Is Beautiful as the second highest-grossing foreign-language film. However, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’s record-breaking $129 million remains unattainable.
In the realm of action thrillers, Bollywood has proved its prowess with the highly successful film Fighter from Viva Entertainment. Grossing an impressive $3.74 million in 662 locations, Fighter secured the fifth spot at the North American box office. The film tells the gripping tale of top Indian Air Force combat aviators joining forces to combat a grave threat. Bollywood continues to produce captivating films that resonate with audiences around the world, and Fighter is no exception.
The weekend’s box office rankings took an unexpected turn with the absence of any new wide releases. This allowed Godzilla Minus One and Fighter to secure spots in the top ten alongside other notable films like Poor Things and American Fiction. While Poor Things, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Emma Stone, claimed the seventh spot with a weekend gross of approximately $3 million, American Fiction, directed by Cord Jefferson and starring Jeffrey Wright, secured the eighth spot with a $2.9 million weekend gross. These films have gained significant traction during the awards season, capitalizing on their critical acclaim and expanding their reach to captivate audiences nationwide.
A24’s The Zone of Interest, directed by Jonathan Glazer, emerged as a sleeper hit, surpassing the $1 million mark on just 317 screens during its national expansion. The film’s five Academy Award nominations propelled its success, with its primary audience comprising individuals under the age of 35, indicating its impact on a new generation as a significant work on the Holocaust. Starring Sandra Hüller, The Zone of Interest currently boasts a $3 million cumulative gross and shows promise for further expansion throughout the awards season.
Alexander Payne’s film, The Holdovers, experienced a surge in screen counts after multiple Oscar nominations. Starring Paul Giamatti, this Focus Features production grossed a substantial $520K at 1,267 theaters during its fourteenth week, accumulating a total of $19.3 million. The Holdovers continues to captivate audiences and solidify its position in the market.
Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, in the wake of its thirteen Academy Award nominations, raked in $1 million on 1,262 screens. Paramount’s Killers of the Flower Moon, with ten Oscar nominations, added 925 locations, contributing to a weekend gross of $220K. Ava DuVernay’s Origin garnered $1.46 million in its second week, while Anatomy Of A Fall, directed by Justine Triet, grossed $211K in its sixteenth week of release. Animation film The Boy and the Heron continued its success, becoming the third highest-grossing anime film in the United States, surpassing Pokemon the Movie 2000, with a cumulative gross of $44.2 million.
New Indie Releases and Expansion Plans
This weekend witnessed the introduction of several indie films to audiences. Sometimes I think About Dying, starring Daisy Ridley, made a strong debut, grossing $40.4K on two screens in New York City and Los Angeles. Additionally, The Peasants, an animated gem from Sony Pictures Classics, earned $15.2K on one screen, while Tótem, directed by Lila Aviles, grossed an estimated $11.4K on one screen in New York City. As the weeks progress, these films look forward to expanding their reach.
Utopia’s The Sweet East embarked on an eight-week roadshow on the East Coast, grossing nearly $20K at Landmark’s NuArt in Los Angeles. This film, which also became the highest-ranked film at the Cinema Village in New York City, demonstrates its resilience and appeal to audiences. The Sweet East plans a national expansion, commencing on February 9th.
Driving Madeleine, directed by Christian Carion and distributed by Cohen Media Group, grossed $68.5K on 76 screens in its third week, with plans to open on an additional 30 screens. American Star, a new opening from IFC Films, earned $9K in 47 theaters during its initial release. Directed by Gonzalo López-Gallego and starring Ian McShane, American Star showcases its potential to attract audiences.
As the U.S. box office continues to thrive with an array of international films, audiences eagerly anticipate the next wave of releases and expansions. From Hollywood blockbusters to indie gems, these films exemplify the power of storytelling and the universal appeal of cinema.