This weekend was an exhilarating one for fans of the legendary Alien franchise, as 20th Century Studios’ latest installment, Alien: Romulus, skyrocketed to the No. 1 spot at the domestic box office with a jaw-dropping $41.5 million debut. Shattering expectations, this marks the second largest domestic opening in the Alien series and the highest-grossing debut for director Fede Alvarez. Starring the talented Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson, Alien: Romulus proved itself as a global sensation, amassing an impressive $108.2 million worldwide.
In an exciting turn of events, The Walt Disney Studios secured both the No. 1 and No. 2 positions at the domestic box office, with the darkly humorous Deadpool & Wolverine following closely behind Alien: Romulus. Disney once again demonstrated its unparalleled storytelling prowess, transporting audiences back to the chilling, horror roots of the Alien saga. Set after the iconic 1979 Alien film by Ridley Scott, Romulus follows a group of young scavengers who encounter the universe’s most terrifying creature. Ridley Scott, who served as a producer, provided invaluable insight to Alvarez, ensuring the film’s electrifying success.
Critics and fans alike have praised Alien: Romulus, earning it a Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This release caps off a triumphant summer for Disney, which managed to hold the No. 1 spot for May, June, and July. Remarkably, Disney accounts for an estimated 42% of the domestic summer box office, headlining 8 of the 16 weekends.
Noteworthy titles bolstering Disney’s success include Inside Out 2, which achieved the historic milestone of becoming the highest-grossing animated film globally with $1.626 billion, and Deadpool & Wolverine, which set the record as the top-grossing R-rated film ever with $1.143 billion. Additionally, the Planet of the Apes franchise returned with May’s Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, earning a considerable $400 million worldwide.
Disney has once again showcased its exceptional capability to generate compelling narratives and spectacular box-office hits that captivate audiences worldwide.
What are your thoughts on Alien: Romulus and Disney’s summer box office dominance? Share your take in the comments below and engage with fellow Disney aficionados!
Source: The Walt Disney Company
