Over the Labor Day weekend, the box office was dominated by the unstoppable force of 'Deadpool & Wolverine,' which continued its reign at the top for the second consecutive week. The Marvel superhero film, starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, raked in $15.2 million domestically, bringing its total earnings close to the $600 million mark. This places it among the elite group of only 16 films to achieve such a milestone.
Among the new releases, 'Reagan,' a biopic featuring Dennis Quaid as the 40th U.S. president, made a solid debut with $7.4 million over the weekend, surpassing expectations. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, the audience response has been overwhelmingly positive, reflected in its A CinemaScore and a 98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The summer movie season, which concluded with Labor Day, showcased a mix of surprises, disappointments, and unexpected hits. Films like 'Deadpool,' 'Despicable Me 4,' 'Inside Out 2,' and 'Twisters' stood out with their impressive box office performances, maintaining their positions in the top 10 for several weeks after release.
Overall, the summer box office in 2024 totaled over $3.6 billion domestically, marking a slight decline from the previous year. The season saw a blend of familiar favorites like 'Alien: Romulus' and 'It Ends With Us' maintaining their positions in the top three alongside newer releases.
Notable mentions from the weekend include 'Afraid,' a horror-thriller featuring an AI antagonist, and 'Blink Twice,' the directorial debut of Zoë Kravitz. While some films like '1992' and 'Slingshot' had modest openings, others like 'Twisters' continued to draw audiences even in their seventh week in theaters.
The box office landscape reflected a diverse range of genres and themes, with both established franchises and fresh offerings vying for audience attention. As the summer season drew to a close, the industry witnessed a mix of successes and setbacks, setting the stage for the upcoming fall releases.
