Despite the recent influx of movies being released, the box office is still experiencing the repercussions of strikes. This can be attributed to the fact that many individuals are not yet in the habit of going to the movies. Furthermore, the two films that were recently released are not expected to generate a significant amount of buzz. One of the films is a prequel/spinoff with a new lead actress, while the other is a family movie centered around a classic comic-strip character. As a result, it is unlikely that we will see the same level of success that past Memorial Day weekend releases have achieved.
Warner Bros’ latest release, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, generated $3.5M in previews at 3,400 locations. This film serves as a prequel to the acclaimed Mad Max Fury Road and features Queen’s Gambit star Anya Taylor-Joy in the lead role. Despite the positive critical reception, with an 89% score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film is only expected to bring in $40M over the four-day weekend. The audience reception, as reflected in the Screen Engine/Comscore PostTrak exits, is promising with a 4 1/2-star rating and a 70% recommendation rate. However, it remains to be seen whether this positive word of mouth will translate into strong box office performance.
On the other hand, Alcon/Sony’s The Garfield Movie earned $1.9M in previews at 3,243 locations. Despite slightly higher previews compared to the previous week’s releases, the film is expected to bring in $30M+ over the four-day weekend. The film has received mixed reviews, with a 37% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Audience reception, particularly among parents and children, has been more favorable, with a 4 1/2-star rating awarded. While the film may appeal more to female audiences, with women outnumbering men at 55% to 45%, it remains to be seen whether this will result in sustained box office success.
Angels Studios’ Sight has received positive feedback, with a 68% definite recommend rate. The film has resonated particularly well with female audiences, who make up 64% of the viewers. The over 55+ demographic also represents a significant portion of the audience, indicating the appeal of faith-based films to older viewers. In contrast, Paramount’s IF has fallen slightly behind previous PG live-action titles such as Hop. While Hop achieved a first week’s take of $46.4M and ended its run with $108M, there is uncertainty surrounding the potential for a sequel. IF is aiming to minimize its decline from the opening weekend by -50%, a feat that Hop was able to achieve with a -43% drop.
The recent box office releases have presented a mixed bag of results. While Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga has garnered critical acclaim and strong audience reception, it may struggle to achieve significant box office success. On the other hand, The Garfield Movie, despite receiving mixed reviews, has the potential to resonate with family audiences and perform well over the four-day weekend. It remains to be seen how these films will fare in the coming weeks and whether word of mouth will play a significant role in their box office performance.