The box office this weekend showcased a mix of both high-profile releases and indie gems. A24’s drama Sing Sing, starring Colman Domingo, made waves with the third highest limited opening and per screen average of the year so far. Touch, the latest film from Focus Features by Icelandic director Baltasar Kormákur, also had a solid opening. Indian 2 continued the trend of Indian films making their mark in the top ten at the box office.
Indian 2, a Tamil-language political action thriller and sequel to the 1996 film Indian, brought in around $1.97 million on 1,065 screens. This continued the recent success of Indian cinema in North America, with titles like sci-fi epic Kalki 2899 AD and romantic comedy Jat & Juliet 3 gaining popularity. Imax screenings of Indian 2 in North America also garnered $190k in one night of previews on 44 big screens, showing the growing interest in Indian films among international audiences.
Indie distributor Neon had a standout weekend with the upscale horror film Longlegs, which raked in an impressive $22 million in its opening. Greg Kwedar’s Sing Sing, a film set against the backdrop of the Sing Sing Correctional Facility, also made noise with its limited release. Despite only being shown on four screens, Sing Sing grossed $137,119 with a $34.3k per screen average. The film, based on a true story and highly acclaimed by critics, is set for a nationwide expansion in August after multiple sold-out Q&As in New York and Los Angeles.
Touch, from Focus Features, debuted in 315 theaters across North America to positive reviews and a solid start at the box office, grossing $470k. Searchlight Pictures’ Kinds of Kindness, starring Emma Stone and directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, continued its successful run in week four with $324k in 730 theaters, bringing its total earnings close to $4.7 million. Other indie releases like Dandelion by Nicole Riegel and National Anthem by Luke Gilford also made their mark, showcasing a diverse range of storytelling and filmmaking styles in the current cinema landscape.
As the box office landscape continues to evolve, with indie films making a strong showing alongside major studio releases, there is a growing appetite for diverse and unique storytelling in the film industry. The success of films like Sing Sing and Indian 2 illustrates the power of authentic storytelling and diverse perspectives in connecting with audiences. As we look ahead to upcoming releases and the continued expansion of indie cinema, it’s clear that the future of filmmaking is bright and filled with exciting possibilities.