’28 Years Later’ Seeing $5M+ Previews, ‘Elio’ Between $2.5M-$3M

In the dynamic world of film, recent box office previews reveal strong performances for new releases, especially with Sony’s highly anticipated 28 Years Later. This sequel to the iconic 28 Days Later has generated impressive previews, exceeding $5 million as it heads into the weekend. Although this figure is notable, it’s essential to contextualize it against comparable recent releases. For instance, Final Destination: Bloodlines raked in $5.5 million in previews, ultimately achieving a franchise-best opening of $51.6 million.

The horror genre tends to skew heavily frontloaded—the initial audience turnout often dictates final grosses. Interestingly, audience reception for 28 Years Later appears mixed, with Rotten Tomatoes showing a relatively low audience score of 67%. In contrast, critics have hailed the film with a 92% rating, marking it the most favorable reception for the franchise thus far. Early tracking predicts an opening weekend between $28 million and $30 million.

This film brings back director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland, partners from the 2002 original. For context, the first installment debuted with $10 million in its opening weekend from 1,261 theaters, while the sequel, 28 Weeks Later, also performed well with $9.8 million from a wider release.

Meanwhile, in another corner of the animation spectrum, Disney/Pixar’s Elio is gearing up for its theatrical release, generating preview receipts between $2.5 million and $3 million. This figure is slightly lower than Elemental, another Pixar movie that earned $2.9 million before its impressive opening of $29.6 million. Elio aims for a three-day debut in the $20 million to $25 million range. Early critical reception looks promising, boasting an 86% certified fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, surpassing the 73% score of Elemental. Positive audience reactions would be crucial for Elio, as demonstrated by Elemental’s remarkable A CinemaScore.

The strategy for Elio involves harnessing word-of-mouth advertising, given that launching original animated features can often present challenges in today’s crowded marketplace. Disney and Pixar hope that Elio can replicate the strong multiple performance of Elemental, which concluded its run with $154.4 million in domestic revenue.

In box office news, Universal/DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon is expected to maintain a stronghold at the top of the box office. Following its debut week, a second weekend prediction surpasses $40 million, bringing its total to $113.7 million as of mid-week.

Overall, as we navigate a successful start for both 28 Years Later and Elio, the evolving preferences of moviegoers stand out. While horror continues to thrive with nostalgia and genre-savvy viewers, animation studios must find ways to entice audiences with original content. Success hinges not only on critical acclaim but also the ability to engage audiences meaningfully. As we look toward the weekend, it will be fascinating to see how these movies perform in the ever-competitive landscape of cinema.

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