The box office numbers post-Memorial Day weekend have taken a significant hit, with all titles combined grossing an estimated $68.6 million, marking a 66% decrease from the previous year. This decline is particularly stark compared to the previous year when the market grossed $205.1 million, driven in part by the success of superhero movies like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
The faceoff between Alcon/Sony’s The Garfield Movie and Warner Bros.’ Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga in their second weekend has shown a clear winner, with Garfield grossing $13 million compared to Furiosa’s $11.5 million. Garfield’s impressive -45% hold in its second weekend demonstrates strong audience retention, while Furiosa’s -56% drop isn’t far behind. By the end of the weekend, Garfield is expected to reach a total of $50.5 million, just edging out Furiosa at $50.4 million.
Paramount’s IF, in its third weekend, is hoping that matinees can help propel it ahead of Furiosa, with a Friday gross of $2.86 million and a projected total of $80 million by Sunday. This demonstrates the enduring appeal of children’s movies, even when faced with strong competition from other genres. Additionally, Crunchyroll/Sony’s Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle, despite its lower box office numbers, showcases the niche appeal of anime movies in the U.S. market, where they can still attract an audience.
20th Century Studios’ Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes continues to perform well, with a solid fourth Friday of $2.4 million and a projected total of $140.1 million by the end of the weekend. The film is on track to surpass the domestic total of its predecessor, War for the Planet of the Apes, highlighting the enduring popularity of the franchise. Additionally, IFC’s horror movie In a Violent Nature has generated significant buzz, with strong previews and a projected opening of $2.2 million. It looks to be a standout success for the distributor.
Despite some strong contenders, other wide releases have struggled to make an impact at the box office. Bleecker Street’s Ezra, with a lackluster performance of $570,000 on Friday, and Roadside Attractions’ Summer Camp, earning just $390,000, are examples of films that have failed to resonate with audiences. Even Jerry Bruckheimer’s highly-tested movie, Young Woman in the Sea, has fallen short of expectations, with an estimated gross of around $500,000. These results underscore the challenges of breaking through in a crowded marketplace.
The post-Memorial Day box office landscape presents a mixed picture, with some films exceeding expectations while others fall short. The dominance of certain genres, such as kids’ movies and horror films, highlights the importance of catering to specific audience preferences. As the industry continues to navigate the challenges of the current climate, it is evident that a diverse range of films is necessary to attract audiences and drive box office success.