Materialists, the new romantic drama directed by Celine Song, has made a strong start at the North American box office, debuting at #3 on the weekend chart. The film, which stars Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal, earned $12 million during its first three days in theaters.
Interestingly, the film actually outperformed Disney’s Lilo & Stitch remake on Friday, but it still landed in third place for the full weekend. Despite that, it’s still a very good result for A24, especially considering the film opened in fewer theaters than other big titles like How to Train Your Dragon.
One of the Best Openings for A24
Materialists has now earned the third-highest opening weekend in A24’s history, according to industry analyst Luiz Fernando. Only Hereditary ($13.6 million) and Civil War ($25.5 million) had stronger opening weekends for the studio.
Here’s a look at A24’s top 3 openings:
- Civil War – $25.5 million
- Hereditary – $13.6 million
- Materialists – $12 million
Mixed Word-of-Mouth and Audience Score
Although the movie had a strong start, its B– rating on CinemaScore and mixed word-of-mouth could pose a challenge in the coming weeks. Some viewers are divided on the story, but one thing most agree on is the praise for the performances by the leading stars.
Many critics have pointed out the strong chemistry between the trio and the charming storyline that revolves around a love triangle. The film follows a young, ambitious matchmaker in New York City who finds herself caught between her perfect new match and her flawed but irresistible ex.
International Earnings and Worldwide Total
On the global front, Materialists collected $3.5 million from just 11 overseas markets during its 5-day opening. Australia alone contributed $1.5 million to that total. When combined with its North American earnings, the film has earned a worldwide total of $15.5 million in its first weekend.
Facing Strong Competition
What makes this debut even more impressive is the stiff competition the movie is facing. Major blockbusters and big family-friendly movies are dominating screens, making it hard for smaller films like Materialists to get enough showings. Still, the film has managed to grab attention thanks to its star-studded cast and the popularity of romantic comedies in general.
Final Thoughts
Materialists may not have taken the top spot at the box office, but it has proven to be a strong contender and a big win for A24. With great performances by Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans, it may continue to do well in the coming weeks, especially if the word-of-mouth improves.
The movie was released in theaters on June 13, and it’s already creating buzz both for its box office numbers and its emotional, romantic storyline. Whether you’re a fan of rom-coms or just curious about A24’s newest hit, Materialists is worth checking out.
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