Sony’s 28 Years Later is gearing up for a strong box office opening, with previews estimated to exceed $5 million. However, don’t rush to compare it with Final Destination: Bloodlines, which pulled in $5.5 million during its previews and went on to earn $51.6 million in its opening weekend.
The horror genre tends to bring in big numbers early on. Audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes show a mixed reception for 28 Years Later—67% approval from viewers, while critics rated it much higher at 92%. In contrast, Final Destination: Bloodlines received strong reviews (92%) and audience reactions (87%).
Projected earnings for 28 Years Later are between $28 million and $30 million for its opening weekend. This film marks the return of director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland, who last collaborated on 28 Days Later back in 2002. That film opened at $10 million across 1,261 theaters, while its sequel, 28 Weeks Later, debuted at nearly $9.8 million in 2007 across over 2,300 theaters.
On the other hand, Disney/Pixar’s Elio is also making waves, with preview earnings between $2.5 million and $3 million. Comparatively, Pixar’s Elemental had a similar preview period, making $2.5 million prior to a $29.6 million opening. Critics currently give Elio an 86% rating, which is higher than Elemental’s 73%.
As for How to Train Your Dragon, it is projected to remain a strong contender at the box office, likely earning over $40 million in its second weekend. The film is already at $113.7 million by mid-week.
In today’s market, competition is fierce, especially in the animation sector. The success of Elio and 28 Years Later will depend on word-of-mouth and critical receptions to draw in audiences. According to recent surveys, 74% of moviegoers prioritize reviews before choosing what to watch, showcasing the influence of critical reception in today’s cinematic landscape.
As this weekend unfolds, it’ll be interesting to see how these films fare against each other, and whether they can capture the audience’s imagination like their predecessors did.
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28 Years Later,Elio,How to Train Your Dragon