The latest installment in the long-running 'Alien' franchise, titled 'Alien: Romulus,' has made a strong debut at the North American box office. The film, released by 20th Century Studios, earned an impressive $41.5 million in its opening weekend across 3,885 locations in the U.S. and Canada. Adding to its success, 'Alien: Romulus' also garnered $66.7 million from international markets, resulting in a global debut of $108.2 million.
Disney, the parent company of 20th Century Studios, secured the top two spots at the box office with 'Alien: Romulus' and Marvel's 'Deadpool & Wolverine.' The company's summer box office performance has been notable, contributing to 42% of the industry's total earnings with hits like 'Inside Out 2' and 'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.'
Despite August typically being a slower month for the movie industry, 2024 has seen a boost in box office numbers, thanks to recent successes like 'Deadpool & Wolverine' and 'It Ends With Us.' This late August weekend saw a significant increase of over 30% compared to the same period last year and a 10% rise from August 2019.
'Alien: Romulus,' directed by Fede Álvarez, is set in the same timeline as the original 'Alien' films and features a young ensemble cast led by Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, and Isabela Merced. The sci-fi movie, known for its horror elements, has received mostly positive reviews, earning an 81% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a B+ CinemaScore from audiences.
In third place at the box office is the romantic drama 'It Ends With Us,' starring Blake Lively and directed by Justin Baldoni. The film, based on a bestselling novel by Colleen Hoover, has grossed $97.8 million to date, surpassing its $25 million production cost.
Other notable entries in the box office include 'Twisters' in fourth place and a re-release of 'Coraline' in fifth place, celebrating its 15th anniversary. 'Borderlands,' a video game adaptation featuring Cate Blanchett and Kevin Hart, continues its run with modest earnings compared to its substantial budget.
