A Whirlwind Impact: "Twisters" Takes the Box Office by Storm
The long-awaited follow-up to the 1996 blockbuster "Twister" has arrived, and it's creating quite the buzz. "Twisters", directed by Lee Isaac Chung and featuring Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, and Anthony Ramos, is on track for a record-breaking opening weekend in the United States, with an estimated gross of $74.6 million. This would make it the highest-grossing domestic opening for a natural disaster film, outdoing Roland Emmerich's "The Day After Tomorrow", which opened to $68.44 million in 2004.
Rising Stars and Directorial Success
The success of "Twisters" shines a spotlight on the ascending stars of its cast members Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, and Anthony Ramos. It also highlights the directorial skill of Lee Isaac Chung, who is known for his critically acclaimed indie hit "Minari". The film has a broad audience appeal, captivating both male and female viewers of various age groups, which could potentially lay the groundwork for a new franchise.
High Scores and Positive Reception
On Rotten Tomatoes, the critic's score is a commendable 77 percent, but the audience score is considerably higher at 92 percent, indicating a strong positive reception from moviegoers. Cinemascore also awarded the film an A- rating, further cementing its audience appeal. The triumph of "Twisters" is a major victory for Universal Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures, and Amblin Entertainment, who collectively produced the film. Universal is handling domestic distribution, while Warner Bros. oversees international distribution.
Production and Local Support
The creation of "Twisters" was a colossal endeavor, with a net budget of $155 million before marketing costs. The film was shot in Oklahoma - the heart of Tornado Alley - and as expected, it is doing exceptionally well in areas prone to tornadoes. The top-grossing theater on Friday was located in Oklahoma, underscoring the local support for the film.
Signs of Recovery for the Film Industry
The impressive opening of "Twisters" is a hopeful sign for the film industry, which has been recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite a challenging second quarter with box office revenues down over 25% compared to 2023, the success of "Twisters" suggests a potential resurgence for the industry.
Other Box Office Success Stories
Alongside "Twisters", other films are also doing well at the box office. "Despicable Me 4" by Universal and Illumination Entertainment continues to hold the second spot with a projected weekend gross of $23.8 million, bringing its domestic total to $260 million. Pixar and Disney's "Inside Out 2" remains a powerhouse, expected to take third place with an estimated $12 million to $13 million, bringing its domestic total to over $600 million.
Neon's breakout horror hit "Longlegs" is also maintaining its momentum in its second weekend, expected to have a minimal drop in revenue and reach a 10-day domestic total of $44.6 million against a $16 million budget. Conversely, Apple Original Films' "Untitled Romantic-Comedy Adventure" is projected to experience a steep decline of 68% in its second weekend, with a total domestic gross of $16.3 million.
A Weekend Win for "Twisters"
Despite tough comparisons to the same weekend last year, when "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" were released, "Twisters" is set to win the weekend and exceed expectations. While it may not match the record-breaking numbers of the previous year, the film's success is a positive sign for the industry's recovery.
"Twisters" is making a significant mark on the box office, surpassing expectations and potentially setting a record for the highest-grossing opening weekend for a natural disaster film. The film's success not only highlights the rising stars of its cast and the directorial prowess of Lee Isaac Chung, but also signals a potential recovery for the film industry post-COVID-19. With positive reception from both critics and audiences, "Twisters" has the potential to spawn a new franchise and pave the way for future natural disaster films.
