Romulus Scores $18 Million on Opening Day

Alien: Romulus is off to a strong start at the box office with $18 million on its opening day. Directed by Fede Alvarez, this latest installment in the iconic horror franchise has managed to draw a significant number of serious fans into theaters this weekend. The $18 million opening includes prior screenings, which exceeded expectations for Disney and 20th Century. Current projections for Alien: Romulus estimate around a $40 million debut by the end of the opening weekend. The film has earned a B+ CinemaScore, the highest audience grade since the second movie, Aliens.

Interestingly, Alien: Romulus cost less to produce compared to some recent entries in the franchise. The reported budget for the film is approximately $80 million before marketing expenses. Initial reactions from theatergoers seem to be positive, and social media buzz appears to support this. This weekend is shaping up to be a busy one for mature film audiences, as Alien: Romulus competes with Deadpool & Wolverine in the number two spot. For those looking for something different, the Blake Lively drama It Ends With Us rounds out the top three movies at the box office.

The release of Alien: Romulus adds another chapter to the beloved horror franchise. Fans have much to look forward to with this latest movie. However, newcomers to the series might find themselves a bit lost, as the film contains numerous references and plot points that relate to previous entries. According to ComicBook’s Kofi Outlaw, this dedication to the original movies might be a double-edged sword for some viewers.

“There is no denying that Alvarez is a major fan of the Alien franchise,” Outlaw says. “But ironically, the proof of his fandom that he packs into the screen is also the very thing that holds the movie back. Romulus has a slavish fascination with Ridley Scott’s original Alien, its stylistic design, tone, and aesthetic. But there’s also plenty of love for James Cameron’s action-packed sequel with its fun sci-fi gadgetry and world-building.”

Outlaw continues, “But Alvarez, along with his collaborator Rodo Sysagues, can’t stop there. They have to acknowledge the expanded mythos that Ridley Scott added with his prequels Prometheus and Alien: Covenant. Even the wayward child of the franchise, Alien 3, with its dystopian vision of colony life, and Alien: Resurrection get nods. The latter even gets a major head-nod in a make-or-break third act that will leave fans deeply divided.”

So, what do you think of the latest entry in the Alien franchise? Will it live up to its predecessors, or does it fall short by catering too much to long-time fans?

Source: ComicBook