In week 9, Toho International’s film “Godzilla Minus One” made waves in the US box office, securing the tenth spot and achieving a significant milestone. With an estimated three-day gross of $2.6 million, the movie surpassed popular foreign-language films like “Hero” and “Parasite” to become the third highest-grossing foreign-language film in the US. This accomplishment is a testament to the film’s appeal and the growing interest in international cinema among American audiences.
The success of “Godzilla Minus One” can be attributed to its widespread distribution, as it played on 2,001 screens across the country. The film’s popularity is further evidenced by its increasing screen count, which quadrupled in comparison to the previous week. However, with its theatrical run ending on February 1, the movie has just a few more days to surpass the current second place holder, “Life Is Beautiful,” which has a cumulative gross of $57.6 million. Taking the top spot, still seemingly unattainable, is “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” with a staggering $129 million gross.
While “Godzilla Minus One” made waves for its foreign-language success, Bollywood had its moment in the spotlight with the Hindi action thriller “Fighter.” Distributed by Viva Entertainment, the film grossed an impressive $3.74 million in 662 locations, securing the fifth spot at the North American box office. With a domestic cumulative gross of $4.3 million, “Fighter” highlights the increasing popularity of Indian films beyond their native market.
“Fighter” tells the story of top Indian Air Force combat aviators coming together to combat an imminent threat. This action-packed plot captivated audiences and solidified the film’s position in the top ten, alongside established contenders like “Godzilla Minus One.” Bollywood’s consistent output and ability to break into international markets is showcased once again with the success of “Fighter.”
Week 9 of the film industry showcased a unique and unpredictable landscape. With no major wide releases, smaller films had the opportunity to make their mark. Searchlight Pictures’ “Poor Things,” directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Emma Stone, secured the seventh spot with an estimated $3 million weekend gross. Following its significant expansion to 2,300 screens, “Poor Things” has grossed $24.8 million domestically since its release on December 8, 2021, and $51.1 million globally.
Meanwhile, Amazon MGM Studios’ “American Fiction” continued to perform well, claiming the eighth spot with a $2.9 million weekend gross. This thought-provoking film, directed by Cord Jefferson and featuring multiple Oscar nominations and Jeffrey Wright in the lead role, has accumulated a total gross of $11.8 million. These successes highlight the diversity of films resonating with audiences and prove that smaller releases can still attract significant attention.
Another noteworthy film in week 9 was A24’s “The Zone of Interest” by Jonathan Glazer. With just 317 screens, the film surpassed $1 million in total gross after a national expansion following its five Academy Award nominations. Tackling the sensitive subject of the Holocaust, “The Zone of Interest” appeals to a younger audience, with the majority of viewers under 35 years old. Its $3 million cumulative gross and ongoing expansion throughout awards season validate its importance in sparking dialogue and remembrance.
Week 9 also saw several films leveraging their Oscar nominations to boost their box office performance. Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers,” featuring Paul Giamatti, experienced a screen count jump in its 14th week, resulting in a $520,000 weekend gross and a cumulative total of $19.3 million. Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” garnered $1 million on 1,262 screens, supported by a limited re-release on IMAX. Paramount’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” added 925 locations, grossing $220,000 during the weekend with its ten nominations.
Other films that may not have received substantial Oscar recognition but performed well include Ava DuVernay’s “Origin” with a $1.46 million weekend gross, and GKIDS’ “The Boy and the Heron,” becoming the third highest-grossing anime film in the US with $44.2 million. These examples demonstrate the significant influence of awards and critical acclaim on cinema attendance and success.
Week 9 also welcomed new indie openings and limited expansions. Oscilloscope’s “Sometimes I Think About Dying,” starring Daisy Ridley, earned $40.4k on two screens in New York City and Los Angeles. The film, praised for Ridley’s transformative performance, generated substantial buzz at the Angelika Film Center and AMC’s Grove 14. Sony Pictures Classics’ animated film “The Peasants” grossed $15.2k on one screen, while Lila Aviles’ “Tótem” achieved an estimated three-day gross of $11.4k, both in NYC. These limited releases set the stage for wider distribution in the coming weeks.
Week 9 of the film industry demonstrated the power of foreign-language films, the continued success of Bollywood productions, and the ability of smaller releases to make a significant impact. As award season unfolds and new films hit theaters, the box office landscape promises further surprises and triumphs.