NEW YORK — The summer box office has taken an exciting turn with the release of “A Quiet Place: Day One” and Kevin Costner’s Western epic “Horizon: An American Saga—Chapter 1.”
Paramount’s horror prequel has exceeded expectations, earning an impressive $53 million in its first weekend. This figure surpasses the franchise’s previous openings and beats the initial projection of $40 million, demonstrating strong audience interest and positive reception.
Starring Lupita Nyong’o and Joseph Quinn, “A Quiet Place: Day One” capitalized on the franchise’s existing fan base and critical acclaim to secure its place as a box office heavyweight.
In stark contrast, Kevin Costner’s “Horizon: An American Saga—Chapter 1” struggled to make a significant impact. Opening to a modest $11 million, the Western epic faced an uphill battle.
Despite Costner’s star power and grand scope, the film failed to resonate with a broad audience. Reviews have been mixed, and it received a B CinemaScore, indicating a lukewarm response from those who did see it.
Costner’s investment in the film, both financially and creatively, adds a layer of complexity to its underwhelming debut. As “A Quiet Place: Day One” continues to draw crowds, “Horizon” will need a substantial word-of-mouth boost to gain traction in the coming weeks.
‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ Surpasses Expectations
The much-anticipated prequel “A Quiet Place: Day One,” directed by Michael Sarnoski, has significantly impacted, earning an estimated $53 million in its first weekend in North American theaters. This opening sets a franchise record and surpasses the initial projections of $40 million, indicating strong enthusiasm among audiences for the action-horror film starring Lupita Nyong’o and Joseph Quinn.
Despite its impressive debut, “A Quiet Place: Day One” fell short of claiming the top spot at the box office. That honor went to Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2,” which garnered an estimated $57.4 million in its third weekend, pushing its global total past the $1 billion mark. This milestone highlights the sequel’s remarkable success, drawing comparisons to the industry phenomenon “Barbie” from the previous year.
Box Office Performance and Audience Reception
“A Quiet Place: Day One” broke franchise records and demonstrated a solid international presence, earning $45.5 million from 59 markets. This brings its global total to $98.5 million, nearly recouping its $67 million production budget within its opening weekend. The film received positive reviews, holding an 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and audience scores reflected solid approval with a B+ CinemaScore and four out of five stars on PostTrak.
Chris Aronson, head of domestic distribution for Paramount, emphasized the film’s appeal, stating, “There’s a lot of love for the ‘A Quiet Place’ franchise. We listened to the fans who wanted to expand the universe.” The film’s success on premium screens, including IMAX and other large formats, contributed significantly to its domestic earnings, accounting for nearly 40% of the total.
‘Horizon: An American Saga—Chapter 1’ Faces Challenges
In contrast, Kevin Costner’s “Horizon: An American Saga—Chapter 1” opened to a less impressive $11 million. Despite its grand scope and Costner’s reputation, the Western epic struggled to attract audiences. Reviews have been mixed, and the film received a B- CinemaScore, suggesting a lukewarm reception.
Costner’s passion project, which he financed personally by mortgaging property in Santa Barbara, California, faced an uphill battle. “The Western genre is one of those that is very specific,” noted Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for Comscore. “It’s going to be about the long game.” Costner’s ambitious plans include three more films in the series, with “Chapter 2” scheduled for release later this summer on August 16.
Industry Trends and Future Outlook
The contrasting fortunes of these two films underscore current trends in the movie industry. Audiences continue to gravitate towards franchise films and familiar properties. “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” for example, remains a strong performer in its fourth week, trailing just behind “Horizon” with $10.3 million.
Paul Dergarabedian observed the genre diversity in the top ten box office rankings, highlighting the presence of two Indian films: the Telugu sci-fi “Kalki 2898 AD” in fifth place with $5.4 million and the Punjabi comedy “Jatt & Juliet 3” in ninth place with $1.5 million. “If you can’t find something that appeals to you at the multiplex right now, you’re not looking hard enough,” he remarked, noting the wide range of choices available to moviegoers.
Summary of Top Performers
According to Comscore, the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters are as follows:
- “Inside Out 2” — $57.4 million
- “A Quiet Place: Day One” — $53 million
- “Horizon: An American Saga—Chapter 1” — $11 million
- “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” — $10.3 million
- “Kalki 2898 AD” — $5.4 million
- “The Bikeriders” — $3.3 million
- “The Garfield Movie” — $2 million
- “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” — $1.8 million
- “Jatt & Juliet 3” — $1.5 million
- “Kinds of Kindness” — $1.5 million
The summer box office season is dynamic, with “A Quiet Place: Day One” and “Inside Out 2” driving significant ticket sales and enthusiasm. Meanwhile, Kevin Costner’s “Horizon: An American Saga—Chapter 1” faces a more arduous road ahead. The varied performances highlight the continued importance of franchises and established properties in drawing audiences to theaters. The industry will watch closely as the season progresses to see how these trends evolve and which films will capture the public’s imagination next.
