“A Quiet Place: Day One” made a significant impact at the box office, raking in $53 million during its opening weekend. This impressive figure surpasses the opening weekends of its predecessors in the franchise, including the original 2018 film “A Quiet Place” ($50 million) and its 2021 sequel “A Quiet Place Part II” ($48 million, released during the COVID-19 pandemic).
Despite being a spinoff rather than a direct sequel, “A Quiet Place: Day One” achieved the highest debut of the series. This prequel, set in the early days of the alien invasion in New York City, stars Lupita Nyong’o and Joseph Quinn. The film is directed by Michael Sarnoski, known for “Pig,” who took over from John Krasinski. Krasinski, who directed the first two films and starred alongside his wife Emily Blunt, contributed to the story but did not return in a directorial role. Both critics and audiences responded positively to the film, which holds an 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a B+ CinemaScore. With a production budget of $67 million, “Day One” is well-positioned for a successful theatrical run.
In contrast, Kevin Costner’s ambitious project “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1” faced a disappointing opening. The film, which cost $100 million to produce, brought in only $11 million from 4,000 theaters. This Western epic, focusing on the expansion of the American frontier, struggled to attract audiences despite Costner’s popularity from his TV show “Yellowstone.”
The film’s poor performance is compounded by negative reviews and lackluster audience reception, earning a 39% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a B- CinemaScore. With the sequel “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2” set for release in just two months, on August 16, the outlook remains bleak. Costner, who invested over $38 million of his own money into the project, faces significant financial risks, while Warner Bros. is only responsible for distribution costs.
David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research suggests that the film’s reception may have been hindered by its television-like presentation. “In this market, a theatrical production that looks like television has a disadvantage,” Gross explains. He adds that while ancillary income might offset some losses, it won’t cover them entirely.
In its fourth weekend, “Bad Boys 4” came close to matching “Horizon,” pulling in $10.3 million and securing the fourth spot at the box office. This brings the film’s domestic total to $165.3 million. Meanwhile, the Hindi film “Kalki” finished in fifth place, earning between $5 million and $6 million.
Meanwhile, Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” continues to dominate the box office, earning $57 million in its third weekend. This brings its domestic total to $469 million and international earnings to $545 million, making it the highest-grossing film of the year. With a global total of $1.05 billion, “Inside Out 2” is the first film of 2024 to join the $1 billion club. If not for “Inside Out 2’s” ongoing success, “A Quiet Place: Day One” would have easily secured the top spot this weekend.
