Box Office Buzz: ‘Superman’ Reigns Supreme as ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ Captivates with $5.8 Million Opening Day, Outshining ‘Eddington’ and ‘Smurfs’

“Superman” is still dominating the box office in its second weekend, outpacing new releases like “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” “Smurfs,” and “Eddington.”

On its second Friday, “Superman” pulled in $16.6 million, bringing its total domestic earnings to $194.4 million. While that marks a 50% drop from the opening weekend, it’s still a significant achievement. It has now surpassed “Thunderbolts” ($189 million), becoming the eighth-highest-grossing film in North America this year.

Experts note that comic book films often see a sharp decline in earnings after the first weekend due to fans rushing to see them. However, director James Gunn seems to have crafted a story that resonates well beyond just die-hard fans. For example, Gunn’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” films had second-weekend drops of around 55%, while “The Batman” had a 50% drop. The current projection for “Superman” suggests it could reach a $235 million total within its first ten days.

With a production budget of $225 million, keeping its momentum is crucial for “Superman.” Upcoming films like “Supergirl” and “Clayface,” slated for 2026, will look to build on this momentum. A new “Wonder Woman” reboot is also in the works.

Among the new films, “I Know What You Did Last Summer” from Columbia Pictures and Screen Gems is making waves, earning $5.8 million from Friday and preview screenings. This sequel features original stars Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jennifer Love Hewitt, along with new faces like Madelyn Cline. While it’s generating buzz, early reviews have been lukewarm, and audience ratings show a C+ score from Cinema Score, suggesting it may struggle for long-term traction.

In contrast, Paramount’s animated “Smurfs” debuted strong with $4 million on its opening day, eyeing a $12 million weekend. However, with a $58 million budget, it faces challenges. The nostalgic charm may not be enough, especially given the poor reviews compared to the last installment.

A24’s “Eddington,” featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal, opened to around $1.8 million. This drama, which intertwines comedy with a COVID-era setting, is expected to fall short of its $5 million forecasts. Critics have offered mixed views since its Cannes premiere.

“Jurassic World Rebirth” continues its reign, pulling in $6.5 million on Friday and projecting a total of over $275 million by Sunday. Meanwhile, “F1” by Warner Bros. is edging into the top five, having grossed $2.8 million on Friday.

In a twist, recent studies indicate a noticeable trend in audience behavior: moviegoers are increasingly drawn to films with strong word-of-mouth and engaging storylines, rather than just established franchises. This shift is something studios are keenly aware of as they develop future content.

As the box office landscape evolves, it will be interesting to see how these films hold up in the coming weeks and what trends will emerge in audience preferences.



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