“Avatar: Fire and Ash Tops Charts 28 Years Later, Says Bone Temple”
In its fifth consecutive weekend, “Avatar: Fire and Ash” has maintained its dominance at the domestic box office. The film generated $13.3 million, bringing its total domestic earnings to $363.5 million. Globally, its impressive total now stands at $1.31 billion. This latest installment in the Avatar franchise continues to attract audiences, albeit at a slower pace than its predecessors.
New Release: “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple”
Despite strong anticipation, “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” fell short of expectations. The film earned $13 million over the weekend and is projected to make $15 million during its four-day debut. This opening was significantly below forecasts of $20 million to $22 million. Directed by Nia DaCosta and featuring stars Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, and Alfie Williams, the film deals with the aftermath of a post-apocalyptic scenario fueled by a Rage Virus.
Challenges and Production Costs
The film is the most expensive entry in the franchise, with production costs reaching $63 million before marketing expenses. Critics have praised it, giving it a 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes and an “A-” grade on CinemaScore. However, its release just seven months after “28 Years Later” may have impacted its box office performance.
Performance of Other Films
Outside the top two films, several notable releases competed for attention. “Zootopia 2” secured third place with $9 million, accumulating $392 million domestically over eight weekends. The animated film is now the highest-grossing animated Hollywood film of all time with a global total of $1.7 billion.
- Fourth Place: “The Housemaid” earned $8.5 million and has grossed $108.7 million domestically against a $35 million budget.
- Fifth Place: “Marty Supreme” made $5.4 million, surpassing “Everything Everywhere All at Once” as A24’s highest-grossing film in North America.
International Success
“Hamnet,” a modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s work by Chloe Zhao, earned $1.3 million in its expanding release, bringing its domestic total to $15 million and its global earnings to $27.5 million. Meanwhile, “Dead Man’s Wire,” directed by Gus Van Sant, debuted with $1 million domestically.
The box office landscape may have been heavily influenced by the holiday period, but the robust competition on the charts demonstrates a varied audience appetite across genres. “Avatar: Fire and Ash” continues to lead, while “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” grapples with challenges indicative of franchise fatigue.
