Alien: Romulus Claws Its Way to Box Office Top Spot

The long-awaited return of the iconic Alien franchise has proven to be a resounding success, with Alien: Romulus claiming the top spot at the North American box office in its opening weekend. The 20th Century Studios horror-thriller raked in an impressive $41.5 million domestically, demonstrating the enduring appeal of the sci-fi horror series.

With a global haul of $108.2 million, Alien: Romulus has made a strong start. The film set in the universe between the original Aliens and Aliens, introduce a fresh cast of young actors led by Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, and Isabela Merced. 

Director Fede Alvarez, known for his work on Evil Dead and Don’t Breathe, brings a distinct horror sensibility to the franchise, appealing to both longtime fans and a new generation of moviegoers.

While critical reception has been mixed, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 81%, audience enthusiasm has been high, as evidenced by the film’s B+ CinemaScore. Alien: Romulus clearly taps into the enduring appeal of the Alien franchise,offering a blend of classic horror elements and modern filmmaking techniques.

Meanwhile, Disney continues its box office dominance with Deadpool & Wolverine holding strong in second place with $29 million in its fourth weekend. The film’s enduring popularity is a testament to the enduring appeal of the Marvel characters and the film’s blend of action, comedy, and heart.

The romantic drama It Ends With Us starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni maintained its momentum, landing in third place with $24 million. The film, adapted from Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, has already grossed $97.8 million against a modest $25 million budget. While the film has been a commercial success, it has also generated significant buzz due to rumors of behind-the-scenes drama, a familiar pattern that echoes the Don’t Worry Darling phenomenon.

Twisters continued its strong performance, securing fourth place with $9.8 million in its fifth weekend, bringing its domestic total to over $238.4 million.

In a surprising fifth place finish, the stop-motion animated classic Coraline made a triumphant return to theaters for its 15th anniversary. Re-released by Fathom Events, the film earned $11.3 million in just four days, demonstrating the enduring charm and artistry of Henry Selick’s work.

On the other end of the spectrum, the video game adaptation Borderlands struggled to find an audience. The film, starring Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, and Jamie Lee Curtis, managed only $2.4 million in its second weekend, bringing its total to a disappointing $13.5 million against a reported $120 million budget.

As the summer box office winds down, Alien: Romulus has injected a much-needed dose of excitement into the marketplace. With strong word-of-mouth and a devoted fan base, the film has the potential to sustain its box office momentum in the weeks to come.