Three unique and original movies are making their mark in the specialty market, showcasing their depth and breadth as awards season gears up. One of these films, Dream Scenario, starring Nicolas Cage, has experienced a solid expansion and captivated audiences with its nerdy protagonist who starts randomly appearing in people’s dreams. The movie has seen a significant growth in its theatrical release, grossing approximately $1.69 million over the weekend as it expanded to 1,578 screens (a significant increase from its initial 124). Directed by Kristoffer Borgli, this dark comedy has accumulated a staggering $3 million since its release and is set to continue its successful theatrical run in the coming weeks.
Another film that has been making waves is Saltburn, distributed by Amazon/MGM. This captivating production has managed to sustain its popularity, drawing in a young and enthusiastic audience. Over the weekend, the film grossed an estimated $1.57 million on 1,566 screens, bringing its total box office earnings to $6.23 million. With a 28% increase on Saturday compared to the previous week, Saltburn has exceeded expectations and has been especially successful in coastal regions. Its top 500 theaters account for approximately 80% of its total gross, while the top 700 theaters contribute to about 90%. The film has found particular success in markets such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Boston, Seattle, and Toronto.
Maintaining its momentum, The Holdovers from Focus Features has also performed well at the box office. Starring Paul Giamatti and Da’Vine Joy Randolph, this film has grossed an estimated $1.15 million in its weekend run at 1,311 locations, bringing its cumulative earnings to $15.1 million. The New York Film Critics Circle recently recognized Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Best Supporting Actress, adding to the buzz surrounding The Holdovers. Despite facing a competitive and crowded awards season, this film continues to resonate with audiences and showcases its enduring appeal.
Bollywood cinema has demonstrated its ongoing strength in the North American market with the release of Animal. Starring Ranbir Kapoor in a revenge thriller, the film amassed an estimated $6.14 million over the weekend, captivating audiences on approximately 700 screens. This opening weekend places it as the second-highest-grossing Bollywood film in North America, following Pathaan from January of this year, which earned $6.9 million. Animal has secured the seventh spot at the North American box office, highlighting the growing popularity of Indian films in this market.
As the specialty market thrives, several new films have made their debut, adding to the diversity and richness of this cinematic landscape. One such film is Eileen, starring Anne Hathaway, which premiered under Neon. Grossing just over $90.5k on six screens, this thrilling production has showcased its potential with a strong per-screen average of $15.1k. Directed by William Oldroyd and adapted from Otessa Moshfegh’s 2015 debut novel, the film follows the story of a young secretary named Eileen who becomes infatuated with the glamorous new counselor at the prison where she works. With notable performances from Shea Whigham, Marin Ireland, and Owen Teague, Eileen has made a promising start and plans to expand modestly in the coming weeks.
Another notable debut is The Sweet East, the directorial debut of cinematographer Sean Price Williams. Premiering at Cannes and the New York Film Festival, this film grossed $30k on a single screen at the IFC Center in New York City. This opening weekend marks the strongest performance for distributor Utopia, with social media support from the film’s cast and crew, including Talia Ryder, Simon Rex, Jacob Elordi, and more. Garnering millions of views on various platforms, The Sweet East plans to embark on a theatrical roadshow throughout December and January, with a larger national expansion scheduled for February.
Kino Lorber released La Syndicaliste at the Quad Cinema in New York City, and the twisty corporate thriller has seen an estimated $10k weekend. Starring Isabelle Huppert as an influential union boss targeted for her attempts to expose the truth within the French nuclear sector, the film opened to multiple sold-out shows. With its shocking true story and powerful performances, La Syndicaliste plans to expand to additional markets on December 8.
Greenwich Entertainment’s documentary Pianoforte resonated with audiences at NYC’s IFC Center, grossing $5.5k. Following the journey of young pianists competing in the International Chopin Piano Competition, this Sundance World Documentary premiere offers an intimate portrayal of talent and competition. Starting on December 15, the film will move to Los Angeles and select regional markets, captivating audiences with its musical journey.
As awards season commences, these specialty market films showcase their unique stories and performances, captivating audiences worldwide. Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic, their success in theaters is a testament to the enduring power of cinema. As audiences continue to seek diverse and thought-provoking stories, the specialty market remains a vital and thriving platform for filmmakers to showcase their creativity.