Twisters, the highly anticipated sequel to the 1996 blockbuster, has made a powerful debut at the box office, far exceeding initial projections. On its opening day, the film raked in an impressive $32.2 million from 4,151 theaters, setting the stage for a potentially massive opening weekend.
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Industry experts had initially predicted a $50 million to $55 million opening for the natural disaster thriller. However, the film’s exceptional performance has raised the bar, with current estimates placing the weekend total at a staggering $74 million. This puts Twisters in direct competition with another Universal release, Despicable Me 4, for the fourth-largest domestic opening of the year.
It’s worth noting that while Despicable Me 4 secured the fourth spot, it benefited from a Wednesday release and a five-day holiday weekend. Currently, the top three North American openings of 2023 belong to Inside Out 2 with a phenomenal $154 million, followed by Dune: Part Two at $82 million, and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire at $80 million.
Produced by Amblin and distributed internationally by Warner Bros., Twisters carries the legacy of its predecessor, a cinematic landmark that captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. The original film, starring Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt, was a box office sensation, becoming the second-highest-grossing feature of 1996. This new installment, directed by Oscar nominee Lee Isaac Chung and featuring a talented cast including Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, and Anthony Ramos, aims to replicate the success of its predecessor and justify its substantial $155 million production budget.
The film’s strong opening weekend is an encouraging sign, but its long-term performance will depend on how it fares against the upcoming release of Marvel’s Deadpool & Wolverine. Positive reviews and enthusiastic audience reactions, as evidenced by an “A-” CinemaScore rating, bode well for the film’s continued success.
Meanwhile, Despicable Me 4 is holding strong in its third weekend, with projected earnings of $23.8 million. The animated feature is on track to surpass $250 million domestically, solidifying its position as the third-highest-grossing North American release of the year.
Leading the pack is Inside Out 2, which continues to impress in its sixth weekend with an additional $3.8 million. The film is nearing the $600 million domestic milestone, a feat achieved by only 14 other films in history.
Neon’s horror film, Longlegs, is experiencing a typical second-weekend decline, with projections of $11.7 million. Despite this, the film is expected to surpass $40 million domestically, demonstrating its strong appeal to audiences.
Rounding out the top five is Paramount’s A Quiet Place: Day One, aiming for a $5.9 million weekend. The prequel is on track to reach $127 million domestically, securing its position as the eighth-highest-grossing release of the year.
Twisters has undoubtedly made a powerful impact on the box office, but the coming weeks will determine its staying power. As the summer blockbuster season continues to unfold, industry analysts will be closely watching to see if this film can sustain its momentum and become a true cinematic phenomenon.