Civil War is off to a great start at the American box office. © A24
What if we had here the first surprise of 2024? Civil War and its terrifying dystopia exceeded all analysts’ expectations for its debut at the American box office. A first weekend of fine quality, which notably marks a new record for the independent studio A24.
A24 changes dimension
Expected between 15 and 20 million dollars, Alex Garland’s film (Ex Machina, Devs) finally reached 25.7 million for its first weekend. In addition to being the best start of 2024 for a film rated “R” (i.e. prohibited for unaccompanied under 17s), Civil War explodes the previous record launch of the A24 studio, which was Hereditary and its 13.4 million dollars.
Kirsten Dunst in Civil War. © A24
In addition to its broadcast on more than 400 IMAX screens, which generates more money than a normal screening, the film benefited from its hot and current subject, with the next American presidential election scheduled for next November. Civil War thus exceeded expectations in several states considered Republican and pro-Trump, such as the South and the American Southwest.
This nice start will allow the A24 studio, until then accustomed to modest but impactful productions (Uncut Gems, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Moonlight, Ladybird…) to truly change dimension. Civil War and its budget of 50 million dollars was a gamble for the studio, and such a public and critical plebiscite confirms A24’s desire to offer more ambitious productions in the future.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire confirms its success. © Legendary Pictures / Warner Bros. Pictures
The blockbusters of recent weeks share the rest of the box office. In second place, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire grossed $15.4 million for its third weekend. The film now peaks at 157 million in the United States, and is approaching half a billion worldwide. At this rate, the latest installment of the Monsterverse should cement its status as the franchise’s third biggest hit, behind Godzilla of 2014 (529 million worldwide) and Kong: Skull Island (561 million).
For its part, Ghostbusters: The Ice Menace is severely slowing down with only $5.8 million earned during its 4th weekend of operation. The film will have difficulty surpassing the $200 million mark worldwide and reaching the scores of the previous installments. It’s confirmed, the franchise Ghostbusters exports poorly internationally.
The last movie Ghostbusters leaves the audience frozen. © Sony Pictures
US box office April 12-14, 2024 (estimates)
| MOVIE | WEEKEND | CUMULATIVE UNITED STATES | WORLD CUMULATION | WEEK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Civil War | $25,712,608 | $25,712,608 | $25,712,608 | 1 |
| 2 | Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire | $15,450,000 | $157,932,103 | $436,532,103 | 3 |
| 3 | Ghostbusters: The Ice Threat | $5,800,000 | $96,966,923 | $159,966,923 | 4 |
| 4 | Kung Fu Panda 4 | $5,500,000 | $173,687,730 | $452,641,730 | 6 |
| 5 | Dune: part two | $4,320,000 | $272,104,065 | $683,904,065 | 7 |