Poor Things, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Emma Stone, has proven to be a strong contender at the box office. In its fifth week, the film grossed $2 million on 750 screens, bringing its total earnings to an impressive $14.2 million. The film has also garnered numerous Golden Globe nominations, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Director, and Best Original Score. Additionally, Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, and Mark Ruffalo have received nominations for their outstanding performances in the film.
American Fiction: Slow Burn Success
American Fiction, written by Cord Jefferson and directed by Amazon MGM Studios, has experienced a slow but steady rise in popularity. The film earned over $1 million in its most recent weekend, playing on 114 screens, and now boasts a cumulative total of $2.98 million. Similar to Poor Things, American Fiction has received critical acclaim and is also up for multiple Golden Globe awards, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and Best Male Actor for Jeffrey Wright.
According to Kevin Wilson, Amazon MGM’s theatrical distribution chief, the positive word-of-mouth surrounding American Fiction has contributed to its success. The film has resonated with audiences in both “smarthouse” and commercial theaters, and it will soon expand its release to 600 locations nationwide.
Specialty Openings and Holdovers
Outside of the top two films, there were several notable openings and holdovers in the specialty box office. Some Other Woman, a thriller directed by Joel David Moore and distributed by Falling Forward Films, debuted on 225 screens, earning $87,000. The film features an ensemble cast including Amanda Crew, Ashley Greene, and Tom Felton.
Mayhem!, directed by Xavier Gens and released by IFC Films, opened in 24 theaters, bringing in $6,800. The film stars Nassim Lyes and promises an intense viewing experience.
Among the holdovers, The Boy And The Heron, distributed by GKids, continued to perform well. In its fifth week, the animated film earned approximately $1.72 million at 910 locations, reaching a cumulative total of $39.6 million. This makes it the fourth highest-grossing anime film of all time in North America, trailing behind Pokemon: The First Movie, Demon Slayer: Mugen Train, and Pokemon the Movie 2000. The Boy And The Heron has also received nominations for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Score at the Golden Globe Awards.
Other noteworthy holdovers include The Teacher’s Lounge, distributed by Sony Pictures Classics, which grossed $13.2k on three screens in its second week, totaling $54,000. Freud’s Last Session, also from Sony Pictures Classics, earned $17,000 on ten screens in its third week, accumulating $91,500. Lastly, Memory, distributed by Ketchup Entertainment, brought in $65,000 on 14 screens in its third week, reaching a cumulative total of $161,000.
As the awards season reaches its peak, films like Poor Things and American Fiction are making their mark on the box office. With critical acclaim and impressive box office earnings, these films have solidified their positions as contenders for the coveted Golden Globe awards. Additionally, the specialty box office continues to showcase a diverse range of films, both in terms of genres and distribution strategies. Whether it’s through slow platform releases or wide expansions, these films are finding their audiences and leaving a lasting impact on the theatrical marketplace.