Disney is once again poised to take the top spot at the summer box office, with their latest release, 20th Century Studios’ Alien: Romulus, projected to bring in $18M, surpassing Deadpool & Wolverine’s fifth weekend earnings of $17M. So far, Alien: Romulus has raked in $50.6M at the box office. Additionally, It Ends with Us, a romantic drama from Sony/Wayfarer Studios, is set to become Blake Lively’s highest-grossing movie domestically, overtaking Green Lantern with an estimated $13M.
Despite Disney’s success, the overall summer box office faces challenges with three new wide releases expected to perform in the single-digit millions. The late August release date also poses obstacles as many moviegoers are transitioning back to school. Comscore reports that 33% of K-12 students are on break, while 58% of college students are still out, impacting movie attendance.
Among the new releases, Amazon MGM Studios is debuting Blink Twice, a thriller directed by Zoe Kravitz and starring Channing Tatum. Despite positive critical reception with an 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film is not projected to have a massive opening weekend. The storyline follows tech billionaire Slater King (played by Tatum) and cocktail waitress Frida (portrayed by Naomi Ackie) as they navigate a mysterious private island filled with unsettling secrets.
Lionsgate is also entering the summer box office fray with the reboot of The Crow, featuring Bill Skarsgård in the lead role. However, the film is expected to fall short of the original 1994 movie’s opening weekend earnings. Directed by Rupert Sanders, the story follows soulmates Eric (Skarsgård) and Shelly (FKA Twigs) seeking revenge after a tragic murder, blending elements of the living and the dead.
Sony is adding to the diverse lineup with director Alex Kendrick’s faith-based movie, The Forge, hitting approximately 1,700 theaters. The film centers on Isaiah (portrayed by Aspen Kennedy) as he navigates life decisions post-high school graduation, offering a different genre for moviegoers seeking inspirational narratives.
As the summer movie season winds down, the box office landscape remains competitive with a mix of sequels, reboots, and original films vying for audience attention. With shifting viewing habits and evolving industry trends, the battle for box office supremacy continues to present unique challenges and opportunities for filmmakers and studios alike.