Over the weekend, the movie Longlegs starring Nicolas Cage managed to rake in an impressive $6.7 million on 2,730 screens. This third week performance has allowed the film to surpass Parasite as the highest grossing film ever for the indie distributor. Not only that, but Longlegs has also claimed the title of the top grossing R-rated horror film of 2024 and the highest grossing indie horror film of the last decade. Its position as the fifth highest grossing film at the domestic box office only solidifies its success.
The Fabulous Four Opens to a Solid Start
Another notable release over the weekend was The Fabulous Four, which opened on 1,045 screens and is estimated to have grossed just over $1 million. Directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse, the film stars Susan Sarandon, Megan Mullally, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Bette Midler as a group of lifelong friends attending a surprise wedding in Key West. Despite its modest opening, The Fabulous Four managed to secure the eighth spot at the weekend box office.
Focus Features’ Dìdì, winner of the 2024 Sundance Audience Award, had a successful limited release, grossing $200k at five locations. With a critic score of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and an audience score of 100%, the film by Sean Wang is off to a strong start. Focus Features’ President of Distribution, Lisa Bunnell, expressed confidence in the film’s potential, citing its heartwarming coming-of-age story and Sean Wang’s talent as a storyteller. Dìdì is set to expand its release to approximately 50 theaters in the upcoming week.
Rounding out the domestic box office at number 10 is Raayan, a Tamil-language crime thriller from PrimeMedia, written and directed by Dhanush. Despite its limited release on 120 screens, the film managed to gross $378.6 over the weekend with a cumulative total of $453k. Raayan’s performance showcases the diversity and appeal of international cinema in the US market.
Widow Clicquot, a historical drama directed by Thomas Napier about a revolutionary figure in the champagne industry, is still making waves in its second week. The film, now Certified Fresh with a 90% score, brought in an estimated $113k over the weekend for a cumulative total of $396k. IFC Films’ Oddity by Damian McCarthy also saw continued success in its second week, grossing $100k on 229 screens for a cume of over $1 million. Lastly, Baltasar Kormákur’s Touch, a lost love story, performed steadily in its third week with a weekend gross of $43k and a cumulative total of $1.1 million.
Overall, the weekend box office showcased a diverse range of films spanning various genres and languages, with both new releases and holdovers finding success in the competitive market. Despite challenges posed by the pandemic and changing viewing habits, these films demonstrate the enduring appeal of cinema and the power of storytelling to captivate audiences.