Disney Leads with R-Rated ‘Alien’ and ‘Deadpool’ Sequels at Box Office

An unexpectedly strong August continues with both usual dominance by Disney films and the unusual twist of them being R-rated. Both films are franchises Disney acquired from 20th Century-Fox.

Nearly a half-century after the original “Alien” by Ridley Scott, “Alien: Romulus” opened at number one with $41.5 million. Closely following is “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which pulled in $29 million. Both these characters became Disney assets after their $71.8 billion acquisition of Fox in 2019.

“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” also contributed significantly to the summer box office. Adding “The First Omen” and a reissue of “The Phantom Menace,” Fox content has added $825 million to Disney’s $1.467 billion industry-leading gross this year.

With three films in the top 10, Disney represented nearly 54 percent of the weekend’s total gross. This return to box office dominance is crucial for a sustained industry recovery. Notably, one of these movies is the most successful Marvel film in five years, while another marks a strong return for Pixar.

“Romulus” joins last week’s success, “It Ends with Us” (Sony), as a second August film to open above $40 million. A rare achievement, particularly in a month traditionally considered the summer’s least appealing. The adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel came in at number three with $24 million, nearing an unexpected $100 million in total earnings.

With two R-rated films leading the summer box office, industry executives are taking note. “Romulus” also grossed an additional $66.7 million internationally, including a $25.7 million debut in China, the second best for a Hollywood film this year.

The remainder of the top 10 saw continued strong performances from “Twisters” (Universal) and “Despicable Me 4” (Universal), both available on PVOD. “Inside Out 2” is set for home viewing release on Tuesday. The poorly received “Borderlands” (Lionsgate) dropped to number nine with a significant 73 percent decline. “Trap” maintained its position at number seven in its third week.

Impressively holding the fifth position is Fathom’s reissue of Henry Selick’s 2009 film “Coraline,” with $11.3 million including Thursday’s earnings. This is the highest take ever for a Fathom re-release. Also in the top 10 is “Stree 2” (Prathyangira), a Hindi-language horror comedy sequel, earning $2.1 million in 666 theaters.

Roadside Attraction’s live-action family film “My Penguin Friend” landed just outside the top 10, earning $1,023,000 in 1,080 theaters. The film showed a 14 percent increase on Saturday, indicating potential for continued late summer matinee interest.

The second weekend of Neon’s “Cuckoo” saw a 71 percent drop, pushing it out of the top 10. Nonetheless, “Longlegs” remains a significant success for Neon, surpassing $100 million worldwide, with $73 million domestically.

Among specialized expansions, “Didi” (Focus) stands out, grossing $700,000 in its fourth week across 427 theaters. “Sing Sing” (A24), with a slower rollout, earned $252,000 in 112 theaters, accumulating just under $1.8 million since its release.

This year’s edition of “CatVideoFest” (Oscilloscope), limited to 61 theaters, has surpassed $500,000.

The Top 10

1. Alien: Romulus (Disney) NEW

$41,500,000 in 3,885 theaters; PTA: $10,682; Cumulative: $41,500,000

2. Deadpool & Wolverine (Disney) Week 4; Last weekend #1

$29,000,000 (-46%) in 3,960 (-370) theaters; PTA: $7,323; Cumulative: $545,817,000

3. It Ends with Us (Sony) Week 2; Last weekend #2

$24,000,000 (-52%) in 3,739 (+128) theaters; PTA: $6,419; Cumulative: $97,785,000

4. Twisters (Universal) Week 5; Last weekend #3; also on PVOD

$9,800,000 (-35%) in 3,483 (-181) theaters; PTA: $2,814; Cumulative: $238,430,000

5. Coraline (Fathom/Focus) REISSUE

$8,391,000 in 1,535 theaters; PTA: $5,467; 4-day: $11,306,000; Cumulative (adjusted): $116,300,000

6. Despicable Me 4 (Universal) Week 7; Last weekend #5; also on PVOD

$6,000,000 (-25%) in 2,788 (-221) theaters; PTA: $2,152; Cumulative: $340,400,000

7. Trap (Warner Bros.) Week 3; Last weekend #6

$3,435,000 (-48%) in 2,436 (-745) theaters; PTA: $1,410; Cumulative: $35,214,000

8. Inside Out 2 (Disney) Week 9; Last weekend #7

$3,200,000 (-34%) in 1,850 (-350) theaters; PTA: $1,730; Cumulative: $642,195,000

9. Borderlands (Lionsgate) Week 2; Last weekend #4

$2,350,000 (-73%) in 3,125 theaters; PTA: $3,125; Cumulative: $13,542,000

10. Stree 2 (Prathyangira) NEW

$2,183,000 in 666 theaters; PTA: $3,278; Cumulative: $2,597,000

Other specialized/independent titles

My Penguin Friend (Roadside Attractions) NEW

$1,023,000 in 1,080 theaters; PTA: $947

Rob Peace (Republic) NEW

$253,216 in 526 theaters; PTA: $481

Skincare (IFC) NEW

$315,894 in 768 theaters; PTA: $411

The Good Half (Utopia) NEW

$38,080 in 53 theaters; PTA: $718; Cumulative: $146,162

Mountains (Music Box) NEW

$6,119 in 1 theater; PTA: $6,119

Caligula: The Ultimate Cut (Drafthouse) REISSUE

$30,815 in 13 theaters; PTA: $2,370; Cumulative: $76,031

Cuckoo (Neon) Week 2

$866,000 in 1,401 theaters; PTA: $618; Cumulative: $5,317,000

Good One (Metrograph) Week 2

$45,259 in 13 theaters; PTA: $3,481; Cumulative: $85,137

Kneecap (Sony Pictures Classics) Week 3

$38,386 in 58 theaters; Cumulative: $948,417

War Game (Submarine Deluxe) Week 3

$6,446 in 8 theaters; Cumulative: $46,955

CatVideoFest 2024 Week 3

$82,655 in 61 theaters; Cumulative: $540,527

Didi (Focus) Week 4

$700,000 in 427 theaters; PTA: $1,640; Cumulative: $2,693,000

Widow Cliquot (Vertical) Week 5; also on PVOD

$39,000 in 49 theaters; Cumulative: $849,681

Sing Sing (A24) Week 6

$251,955 in 112 theaters; PTA: $2,250; Cumulative: $1,176,000

Longlegs (Neon) Week 6

$721,050 in 645 theaters; Cumulative: $72,930,000

Daddio (Sony Pictures Classics) Week 8; also on PVOD

$9,250 in 5 theaters; Cumulative: $957,126

Janet Planet (A24) Week 9

$11,945 in 11 theaters; Cumulative: $793,638

Source: various