Box Office Report: "Wrath of Man" Dominates the Charts Amidst a Slow Summer Start

The film "Wrath of Man," featuring the action star Jason Statham, has made a significant impact at the box office, earning $8.1 million during its opening weekend. While this may not be the explosive beginning to the summer movie season that many cinema owners were hoping for, especially with the anticipation surrounding Marvel's "Black Widow," it is a positive sign for the industry. Disney's superhero film, originally slated for release on May 7, has now been pushed to July 9. However, "Wrath of Man" is providing a much-needed boost for theaters as they await the summer blockbuster season, which is expected to pick up momentum with films like Disney's "Cruella" and Paramount's "A Quiet Place Part II" set to debut at the end of the month. Other anticipated releases like "F9," the musical "In the Heights," and "The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard" are also on the horizon for June.

Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst at Comscore, speculates that the summer box office may not see a significant rebound until the arrivals of "Cruella" and "A Quiet Place Part II" on May 28. He noted, “The numbers don’t feel yet like summer, but a movie like ‘Wrath of Man’ can certainly get consumers in the mood for the upcoming summer kickoff on Memorial Day weekend.”

In North America, the box office has been experiencing a gradual recovery as COVID-19 vaccination rates increase and major markets such as New York City and Los Angeles begin to lift capacity restrictions in theaters. This change is anticipated to help cinemas sell more tickets, thereby instilling confidence in Hollywood to release larger films. Meanwhile, box office receipts for films like "Mortal Kombat," "Godzilla vs. Kong," and "Demon Slayer: Mugen Train" have shown encouraging trends. Although its box office performance has slowed, "Godzilla vs. Kong" has successfully crossed the $92 million mark in the U.S. and is on track to become the first film of the pandemic era to exceed $100 million at the domestic box office.

Directed by Guy Ritchie, "Wrath of Man" stands out as a unique case during the pandemic because it is receiving a traditional theatrical release. Unlike other films such as "Godzilla vs. Kong" or Disney's "Raya and the Last Dragon," which were available on streaming platforms simultaneously, the MGM film can only be viewed in theaters. For those eager to see Statham unleash his vengeance on the big screen, the local cinema remains the sole option. Audience feedback indicates satisfaction with the film; it has achieved a CinemaScore of "A-." Critics, however, were more mixed in their reactions, with an average score of 66% on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite the divided opinions on the storyline, many reviewers highlighted the entertainment value of the action sequences when experienced in a theater setting.

On the international front, "Wrath of Man" has grossed $17.6 million to date, with a wide release in China scheduled to take place on Monday. This international performance is crucial for the film's overall revenue potential as it expands into new markets.

The weekend also saw the launch of another new title, "Here Today," from Sony Pictures, starring Tiffany Haddish and Billy Crystal. The comedy opened in 1,200 North American locations and managed to generate $900,000 over the weekend, placing it in seventh on the box office charts. Even by pandemic standards, this opening is disappointing for a major studio release that features two well-known actors. Directed by Crystal, the film explores the unlikely bond between an aging comedy writer and a rising singer, yet it has received mixed reviews.

In contrast, several holdover films outperformed "Here Today." Disney's animated feature "Raya and the Last Dragon," now in its tenth weekend of release, experienced a 25% increase in ticket sales compared to the previous weekend. The film, which is also available for premium rental on Disney Plus, secured the fifth spot on the charts with an additional $1.8 million, bringing its cumulative domestic total to $43.8 million.

In its third week in theaters, the anime sensation "Demon Slayer" dropped to second place, earning $3 million and accumulating $39 million in the U.S. and over $435 million globally. Following closely behind, the Warner Bros. adaptation of the video game "Mortal Kombat" landed in third place with $2.3 million. This film, available for no additional charge on HBO Max for subscribers, has amassed $37.8 million in North America and a worldwide total of $72 million.

The monster crossover "Godzilla vs. Kong," also from Warner Bros., secured fourth place with earnings of $1.9 million. With a total of $422 million at the global box office, this film has outperformed its predecessor, "Godzilla: King of the Monsters," which received lukewarm reviews and concluded its run with $386 million.

Among independent releases, Oscilloscope's "Silo" premiered to $51,689 from 208 screens, averaging $249 per location. This film, which has also debuted on video on demand platforms, is being touted as the first cinematic exploration of "grain entrapment." Set in a small American farming community, the story unfolds as a teenage boy becomes trapped within a grain silo, facing the harrowing possibility of being buried alive.

In summary, while the box office is experiencing a gradual recovery, the performance of "Wrath of Man" stands out as a beacon of hope for theater owners and the film industry amid a challenging landscape. The upcoming releases are poised to further invigorate the summer movie season, and audiences are gradually returning to theaters in search of entertainment.