Receipts: ‘Twisters’ Whirls its way to the top
Domestic: Twisters (2024), directed by Lee Isaac Chung, stormed to the top of the box office charts this past weekend, debuting on Friday, July 29th. Opening in 4,151 theaters across the country, the $200 million budget film raked in $32 million on its first day alone. By the end of its opening weekend, Twisters had grossed an impressive $81 million, securing its spot as the 17th highest-ranked July opening weekend of all time. This performance not only earned it the number one spot at the box office but also surpassed the opening weekend of Despicable Me 4. The film’s success extends beyond domestic borders, with 35% of the total gross coming from the international box office. This brings its worldwide earnings to a robust $125 million. This international appeal highlights the film’s widespread popularity and sets the stage for potentially even higher global earnings in the coming weeks. Twisters is a standalone sequel to the 1996 classic Twister, and it appears to have resonated well with both critics and audiences. The film currently holds a 78% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting generally positive reviews.
Five years after a tragic accident in Oklahoma claimed the lives of her friends during a field experiment on tornadoes, Kate Carter (Daisy Edgar-Jones) has built a new life working at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in New York. Despite her efforts to distance herself from her past, Kate finds herself drawn back to Oklahoma when Javi (Anthony Ramos), an old friend, approaches her with an enticing proposal. Javi wants Kate to help lead his high-tech tornado research team, and despite her reservations, she agrees. Returning to Oklahoma, Kate is forced to confront the painful memories she has tried to escape. In addition to facing her past, she meets new faces, including Tyler Owens (Glen Powell), a charismatic and reckless influencer who documents his tornado-chasing exploits on social media. The dynamic between the cautious Kate and the charming Tyler is initially tense, but as they collaborate on their research, they begin to understand and respect each other’s strengths.
Longlegs (2024), another highly anticipated film, was released on July 12th. Opening in 2,510 theaters, the film grossed $10 million on its opening day and amassed $22 million by the end of its first weekend. Since its release, Longlegs has achieved a worldwide gross of $47 million, with 5.6% of this total coming from the international market. Despite a reported budget of less than $20 million, Longlegs has managed to carve out its own space amidst the competition, demonstrating impressive profitability early on. This past weekend, the film ranked as the fourth highest-grossing film, falling behind Twisters, Despicable Me 4, and Inside Out 2. However, during its release weekend, Longlegs surpassed Inside Out 2 and was ranked second overall. Its steady performance underscores the film's appeal and the anticipation that had built up around its release. As it continues its theatrical run, the film aims to increase its earnings and solidify its presence in the market.
International: Japan recently released Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram (2024) on July 17th, a mystery animated film directed by Chika Nagaoka. This film is the twenty-seventh installment in the popular Case Closed film series, based on the renowned manga series by Gosho Aoyama. The Case Closed series began with the first film, Detective Conan: The Time-Bombed Skyscraper (1997), and has become a staple in Japanese cinema, known for its intricate mysteries and engaging storylines. Over the years, the series has built a strong fanbase and consistently performed well at the box office.
Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram has surpassed expectations, grossing over ¥15 billion (approximately $96 million USD). This achievement not only makes it the highest-grossing Japanese film of 2024 to date but also the highest-grossing film in the Case Closed franchise. The film’s impressive performance underscores the continued popularity and success of the series. The film also had a notable production budget, which, while not officially disclosed, is reported to be one of the higher budgets in the franchise’s history. This investment in quality animation and storytelling is reflected in the film's strong box office performance and critical acclaim.
Streaming: Last week, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024), starring Eddie Murphy, secured a spot in Netflix’s top 10 with an impressive 44 million hours viewed and 22 million individual views. Since its release on July 3rd, the film has been the most-watched domestic film on Netflix for the past two weeks, demonstrating its strong appeal and popularity. Directed by Mark Malloy, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F brings back the beloved character Axel Foley, portrayed by Eddie Murphy, in an action-packed and comedic adventure. This latest installment sees Axel returning to Beverly Hills after learning that his daughter, Jane (Taylour Paige), and his old partner, Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold), have become targets of a ruthless cartel.
The film pays homage to the previous entries in the series: the original Beverly Hills Cop (1984), where Axel Foley first investigated his friend's murder in Beverly Hills; Beverly Hills Cop II (1987), which followed Axel solving a series of heists; and Beverly Hills Cop III (1994), where he uncovered a counterfeit money operation at an amusement park. In Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, Axel uses his street smarts and detective skills to navigate the dangers posed by the cartel, delivering the signature humor and charm that fans love. Reunited with his old friend Billy and motivated to protect his daughter, Axel faces off against the cartel in a thrilling showdown. Blending action, comedy, and nostalgia, the film has been a hit among both long-time fans and new viewers.
