One Battle After Another Crushes the Box Office at No. 1 With $21 Million
One Battle After Another tops the box office with a $21 million debut—modest for its budget, but an A CinemaScore points to strong legs ahead.
Quick box office pulse-check: Paul Thomas Anderson just took the weekend with his biggest swing yet, but the opening is more slow burn than fireworks.
'One Battle After Another' takes the crown, cautiously
Deadline has 'One Battle After Another' landing at an estimated $21 million for its first weekend. With a budget north of $130 million, that is not a victory lap number. But do not count it out. The movie is one of the best-reviewed releases of the year and pulled an A CinemaScore, which is the kind of word-of-mouth lifeline you want when you are aiming mainstream. It is also Anderson's most audience-friendly play to date.
If this follows the Warner Bros. adult-drama sleeper path, there is a blueprint: 'Argo' launched at $19 million and legged out to $136 million domestic before cleaning up at the Oscars. If 'One Battle After Another' pulls a similar trajectory, the studio could make its money back once overseas receipts are in, and the film could settle in as a profitable catalog title — especially if awards season shows up for it.
The rest of the weekend at a glance
- 'Gabby' s Dollhouse' is heading for about $13.6 million. Kids are showing up and loving it: A+ CinemaScore. It is not catching 'One Battle After Another', but it is extremely healthy for a family title.
- 'The Strangers: Chapter 2' (Lionsgate) is bombing, tracking for an opening in the $5 million range. It is getting outpaced by:
- 'The Conjuring: Last Rites' with roughly $6.7 million.
- 'Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle', which is on pace for almost the same number as 'Conjuring'.
- Last weekend's horror opener 'Him' is taking a rough hit, down about 71% week-to-week to $3.8 million and settling in sixth place.
- Worse off: 'A Big Bold Beautiful Journey' looks likely to scrape into 10th place with about $1.25 million.
Short version: 'One Battle After Another' is on top with a modest start, but the audience scores and critical love suggest this one could have legs. Full weekend wrap tomorrow.