Despite its title, Independence Day: Resurgence is not opening on or near July 4. Instead, the blockbuster sequel is opening this weekend, likely finding its chances for box office supremacy better now than later. That strategy doesn't seem to be panning out too well yet, though. It's being reported that Independence Day: Resurgence could be facing a real uphill battle for its opening weekend as it kicks off with a slow start of $4 million on Thursday night previews.
Deadline has the figures and they're reporting that Independence Day: Resurgence opened in 3,200 theaters to $4 million. That puts it in league with other summer action flicks like Mission: Impossible- Rogue Nation ($4 million) and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes ($4.1 million). So while not a terrible start, I have to imagine 20th Century Fox was hoping for better numbers with its 20 years in the making sequel; Fox is hoping that the summer tentpole will make $50 million plus on its opening weekend.
The film was held back from advanced screenings to the press to avoid any bad word of mouth before opening weekend. The film currently holds a 46% score on Rotten Tomatoes so we'll see if that impacts its box office earnings for better or worse.
On the other end of the spectrum, we've got Pixar's Finding Dory, which will be Independence Day: Resurgence's biggest competition this weekend. The animated sequel has been doing great at the box office, setting numerous records for animated films. Finding Dory's second weekend in theaters is projected to make $60 million. The sequel made $17.4 million on Thursday, pushing its total domestic gross to $213.3 million, cementing itself as a top contender for the summer box office.
Independence Day: Resurgence wasn't the only new film to open this weekend. Along with Finding Dory, its other competition includes The Free State of Jones, The Shallows, and Neon Demon. Starring Matthew McConaughey as Newt Knight, a civil war leader who led the people of Jones against the Confederacy, The Free State of Jones took in $365K last night and the historical drama is hoping to make $11-$13 million for the weekend. Neon Demon, the latest film from Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn, had a more limited release than the other films and is projected to make about $2 million for its premiere weekend. Finally, The Shallows, otherwise known as the Blake Lively shark movie, made $1.325 million on Thursday. That puts it in league with other female-skewing thrillers like Insidious: Chapter 3. It's reported that the studio would be content with $7-$8 million, but it's believed that the movie could chomp its way to an $11-13 million weekend. Of all the new films that premiered this week, The Shallows has the highest score on Rotten Tomatoes with 74%.
It looks like Independence Day: Resurgence could use some of your love this weekend, so head on down to your local theater to show it some love (if you want to, that is).
On the other end of the spectrum, we've got Pixar's Finding Dory, which will be Independence Day: Resurgence's biggest competition this weekend. The animated sequel has been doing great at the box office, setting numerous records for animated films. Finding Dory's second weekend in theaters is projected to make $60 million. The sequel made $17.4 million on Thursday, pushing its total domestic gross to $213.3 million, cementing itself as a top contender for the summer box office.
Independence Day: Resurgence wasn't the only new film to open this weekend. Along with Finding Dory, its other competition includes The Free State of Jones, The Shallows, and Neon Demon. Starring Matthew McConaughey as Newt Knight, a civil war leader who led the people of Jones against the Confederacy, The Free State of Jones took in $365K last night and the historical drama is hoping to make $11-$13 million for the weekend. Neon Demon, the latest film from Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn, had a more limited release than the other films and is projected to make about $2 million for its premiere weekend. Finally, The Shallows, otherwise known as the Blake Lively shark movie, made $1.325 million on Thursday. That puts it in league with other female-skewing thrillers like Insidious: Chapter 3. It's reported that the studio would be content with $7-$8 million, but it's believed that the movie could chomp its way to an $11-13 million weekend. Of all the new films that premiered this week, The Shallows has the highest score on Rotten Tomatoes with 74%.
It looks like Independence Day: Resurgence could use some of your love this weekend, so head on down to your local theater to show it some love (if you want to, that is).
