Paramount’s latest prequel in the A Quiet Place franchise, A Quiet Place: Day One, has shattered records with a preview night haul estimated between $5M-$6M. Showtimes for the highly anticipated film began at 3 PM, surpassing the numbers set by its predecessors. Directed by Michael Sarnoski, the film explores the origins of the ferocious aliens with supersensitive hearing that terrorize Earth, with a star-studded cast including Lupita Nyong’o, Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff, and Djimon Hounsou.
With glowing reviews at 86% certified fresh, the prequel has set high expectations among fans. However, these ratings mark the lowest in the franchise, following Chapter One (96%) and Chapter 2 (91%). Despite this, industry insiders had predicted a strong opening weekend of $40M+, considering its genre appeal. The film’s performance will be closely monitored, especially since genre films are known to be frontloaded.
Looking back at the success of the previous installments, A Quiet Place and A Quiet Place: Part II, the prequel’s performance is being compared to these box office hits. The first movie’s previews accounted for 23% of its $18.8M Friday earnings, leading to a $50.2M 3-day weekend, while the second film saw previews contributing 25% to a $19.3M first Friday and a $47.5M 3-day total. With such strong foundations, it remains to be seen if Day One can cross the $50M mark in its opening weekend.
Paramount’s lineup also includes Kevin Costner’s ambitious project, Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1. Despite a slower start at around $1M-$1.5M, the film is expected to resonate with an older audience and perform steadily in the long run. With critical reviews at 41% on Rotten Tomatoes, Horizon faces a mixed reception compared to Costner’s previous works, including Open Range and Dances With Wolves.
Over in the animated realm, Disney/Pixar’s highly anticipated sequel, Inside Out 2, is projected to dominate the box office with an estimated $55M-$60M opening weekend. Having crossed $400M in just 13 days, the film is pacing ahead of previous hits like Barbie, hinting at the potential to join the billion-dollar club. Directed by Kelsey Mann, the sequel is set to make a significant impact on the global market.
A Quiet Place: Day One stands as a testament to the enduring popularity of the franchise, with a strong start at the box office and promising reviews. As audiences flock to theaters to experience the prequel’s chilling narrative, its success paves the way for future installments and cements its status as a genre-defining series.