Receipts: Fourth of July Weekend recap
Domestic: After dominating the box office for three consecutive weekends, Inside Out 2 (2024) has been dethroned by Despicable Me 4 (2024). The Fourth of July weekend, with its influx of moviegoers and new releases, looked promising for the box office. Despicable Me 4, released on July 3rd, opened in 4,428 theaters, marking the seventh widest opening for an MPAA-rated film. It grossed $27 million domestically on its first day and is estimated to have earned around $75 million over the Fourth of July weekend, surpassing Inside Out 2, which brought in an estimated $30 million. Although Inside Out 2 is still impressive considering its 24-day run since release, the new contender has taken the lead. Trailing closely in third is another highly anticipated film, A Quiet Place: Day One (2024), which opened with an estimated $21 million over the weekend. Since its release on June 28th, the film has grossed a worldwide total of $178 million, a substantial success given its $67 million budget.
The continuation of the A Quiet Place (2018) and Despicable Me (2010) franchises made a significant impact on the box office this past weekend, although audience reviews vary. Despicable Me 4, the sixth film in the franchise (including spin-offs), faced skepticism about its potential for new storytelling. While the film was generally well-received, earning a 52% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, many critics focused on its emphasis on entertainment over plot. Some viewers felt the multiple unnecessary storylines were another attempt to capitalize on the minion’s cash grab. However, many fans enjoyed seeing Gru and their favorite characters return to the screen.
Conversely, A Quiet Place: Day One was better received, earning an 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite initial doubts about what new stories could be told after two previous films set in a post-apocalyptic world, the film pleasantly surprised many. Set on the first day of the invasion in New York, the characters and their situations are quite different from Lee Abbott (John Krasinski) and Evelyn Abbott (Emily Blunt). Rather than focusing solely on survival, the story follows two strangers who learn to appreciate and make the most of life as the world around them falls apart.
International: In South Korea, Escape (2024), directed by Lee Jong-pil, was released on July 3rd and quickly made a significant impact on the box office. On its opening day, Escape attracted 112,658 moviegoers, according to the Korean Film Council's Box Office Database, surpassing Inside Out 2 to claim the top spot. This marked the first time in 22 days that a Korean film had taken the top position at the global box office, signaling a strong start for the film. By the weekend, Escape was ranked as the second highest-grossing film, with Inside Out 2 reclaiming the top spot.
Escape is set in a military camp near the DMZ of a divided land, with the South representing freedom and the North symbolizing repression. The story follows Sergeant Kyu Nam (Lee Je-hoon), who has long planned to escape to the South but faces significant obstacles. State Security Department Major Hyun Sang (Koo Kyo-hwan), who recognizes Kyu Nam from childhood, becomes a key figure in his life. Despite challenges, Kyu Nam remains determined to live freely and never abandons his dream of crossing the border, while Hyun Sang, who has sacrificed his own dreams, navigates his complex relationship with Kyu Nam. The film explores themes of freedom, loyalty, and personal struggle under a repressive regime.
Streaming: A Family Affair (2024) emerged as the top-streamed film on Netflix this past week, amassing 51 million hours of viewing time and 27 million views. Directed by Richard LaGravenese, this romantic comedy features a recognizable cast including Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, and Joey King. The story follows Zara (Joey King), who is stuck as the personal assistant to movie star Chris Cole (Zac Efron). Though she has bigger ambitions, she clings to the hope that Chris will fulfill his promise to help her break into the film industry. The plot thickens with the inclusion of Zara's mother, leading the trio to navigate the complications of love, sex, and identity.
Trigger Warning (2024) remains a strong contender on Netflix’s Top 10, slipping just one place from first to second. This action-packed thriller stars Jessica Alba as Parker, a special forces commando forced to go on the run from a violent gang after asking too many questions. With 47 million hours viewed and 26 million views, Trigger Warning held a solid second place this past week.
