As Disney/Pixar’s Inside Out 2 enters its third weekend at the box office, expectations are high with projections indicating a domestic gross of $55 million-$60 million. With its current momentum, the film has the potential to surpass the final domestic earnings of Illumination/Universal’s Super Mario Bros Movie, which concluded with $574.9 million. This anticipated success is a welcome sight for both exhibition and studios, providing a much-needed boost to the marketplace.
Paramount’s prequel, A Quiet Place: Day One, directed by Michael Sarnoski, takes audiences back to the day when sound-sensitive aliens invaded New York City. Stepping in for John Krasinski, who directed the first two chapters of the franchise, Sarnoski brings a fresh perspective to the film. The cast, which includes Lupita Nyong’o, Joseph Quinn, Djimon Hounsou, and Alex Wolff, is expected to draw audiences in with the promise of a thrilling experience. The film is projected to have an opening weekend of $40 million or more, with additional potential from Latino and Hispanic moviegoers contributing to box office success.
Diversity demographics are a key factor in the success of A Quiet Place: Day One, with a strong under 35 demographic showing interest in the PG-13 genre. The film is set to release in 3,700 locations, offering audiences ample opportunity to experience the suspense and tension of the prequel. Previous entries in the franchise had successful openings, with A Quiet Place 1 and 2 grossing $50.2 million and $47.5 million respectively. The global reach of the franchise is also significant, with the latest installment releasing in 59 offshore markets.
New Line’s Horizon: An American Saga, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, presents a domestic service deal for Warner Bros. Starring Kevin Costner, the film follows the expansive cost of the American West in the pre- and post-Civil War era. Despite a reported production cost of $100 million for the first two films in the series, Horizon: An American Saga is projected to have a modest start of $10 million-$12 million at 3,300 theaters. While this may seem low for a film of its budget, the increased foot traffic for cinemas is a positive sign for the overall industry.
The box office battle between Inside Out 2 and A Quiet Place: Day One showcases the diverse range of films captivating audiences this weekend. While Inside Out 2 aims to continue its successful run at the box office, A Quiet Place: Day One offers a thrilling prequel experience for moviegoers seeking suspense and excitement. Horizon: An American Saga adds a historical perspective to the mix, catering to audiences interested in the expansive storytelling of the American West. As the weekend unfolds, it will be intriguing to see which film emerges victorious in this competitive cinematic landscape.