Fede Álvarez's latest installment in the Alien franchise, Alien: Romulus, has made a strong debut at the box office, aiming to breathe new life into the beloved series. The film, produced by 20th Century and Disney, claimed the top spot on Friday's domestic chart with an impressive $18 million, including $6.5 million from previews. Projections suggest an opening weekend in the range of $40 million to $42 million, marking a promising start for Romulus. Notably, the movie has dethroned Marvel Studios' Deadpool & Wolverine from its top position, showcasing its appeal to audiences.
One of the key successes of Romulus lies in its ability to attract a diverse audience, appealing to both younger and older male demographics who have a fondness for the franchise. With a fresh 82 percent critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes and a near-franchise best B+ CinemaScore, the film has garnered positive reviews. Overseas, Romulus is also performing well, with a projected global opening exceeding $100 million.
Set between the events of Ridley Scott's Alien and James Cameron's Aliens, Romulus follows the story of young colonists who encounter the iconic alien creature aboard a derelict space station. The movie features a talented cast including Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, and Spike Fearn. Originally intended for a streaming release on Hulu, the decision to opt for a theatrical debut has proven to be a wise move for the studio.
In other box office news, Deadpool & Wolverine, directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, is now in second place after a successful three-week reign. The film has broken records to become the highest-grossing R-rated film globally, surpassing $1.086 billion in earnings. It is expected to add another $27 million to $28 million to its domestic total this weekend.
Meanwhile, the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's best-selling novel, It Ends With Us, starring Blake Lively, is holding strong in third place. The female-led movie is anticipated to reach a domestic total of nearly $100 million by the end of the weekend, following an impressive first week of $73.7 million.
Universal's Twisters and the 15th-anniversary re-release of Coraline from Focus Features round out the top spots at the box office, with both films attracting audiences through various distribution channels. The industry continues to see a mix of new releases and beloved classics captivating moviegoers, promising an exciting landscape for cinema enthusiasts.
