“28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” struggled again at the box office, facing stiff competition from “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” which maintained its top position for a fifth weekend. “The Bone Temple” earned $13 million over the weekend and is expected to reach $15 million for the four-day holiday, falling short of initial hopes for $20-$22 million. Globally, it brought in $31.1 million, combining both domestic and international earnings.
Despite strong reviews—93% on Rotten Tomatoes and a “A-” grade on CinemaScore—the film’s quick return after less than seven months since its predecessor, “28 Years Later,” which debuted at $30 million, may have hurt its performance. David A. Gross, an expert in the film industry, noted that audiences may not have been ready for another installment so soon. He said, “This is a steep drop from the third installment.”
Sony has invested heavily in “The Bone Temple,” which cost $63 million to produce, making its weaker performance concerning. Directed by Nia DaCosta, the film continues the story of characters grappling with a Rage Virus in a dystopian Britain.
On the other hand, “Avatar: Fire and Ash” earned $13.3 million over the weekend, bringing its domestic total to $363.5 million and $1.31 billion worldwide. While it remains a box office powerhouse, it’s losing momentum faster than previous entries, “Avatar” and “Avatar: The Way of Water,” both of which broke records.
Outside the top contenders, other films also made their mark. “No Other Choice,” a dark comedy directed by Park Chan-wook, earned $2.2 million. Chloe Zhao’s “Hamnet,” which won a Golden Globe, grossed $1.3 million, adding to its $15 million domestic total. Similarly, Gus Van Sant’s thriller “Dead Man’s Wire” collected $1 million, exploring a real-life hostage scenario from 1977.
In a notable return, Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy re-released for the 25th anniversary of “The Fellowship of the Ring” grossed $8 million over the weekend, though slightly less than its last re-release.
January often sees a lull at the box office, with several films from the holiday season still drawing crowds. “Zootopia 2” came in third, grossing $9 million, while “The Housemaid” and “Marty Supreme” continued to perform well, reflecting the ongoing interest in diverse genres amidst a shifting cinematic landscape.
As cinema continues to evolve, understanding audience preferences is crucial. With data showing that sequels and franchise continuations can struggle if too close together, studios might rethink their release strategies to maximize success.
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28 Years Later: Bone Temple,Avatar: Fire and Ash
