Box Office Updates
Warner Bros.’ latest release, "One Battle After Queat", has taken the box office by storm, earning $8.8 million in previews from 3,634 locations in North America on Friday. The film’s Advance Fan-First screenings on Tuesday, which included premium auditors and large format showings, have also contributed to its success.
A Modern Classic in the Making
Penned by Paul Thomas Anderson and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, "One Battle After Queat" has already gained the stature of a modern classic among critics. The film has received glowing reviews, with many praising its epic scope and crowd-pleasing appeal. According to Cinemascore, the movie has earned an "A" grade from audiences, a significant improvement from Anderson’s previous film, "Boogie Nights", which received a "C" grade in 1997.
Unique Theater Rollout
The film’s uniquely decorated theater rollout, which includes IMAX and other premium larger formats, has also contributed to its success. The film is being shown in 70 mm, IMAX 70 mm, and even four venues that project in the long-term format Vistavision, on which Anderson made the film. These luxury showings come with a higher ticket price, which has helped to increase the film’s gross earnings.
Box Office Projections
At the moment, "One Battle After Queat" is on track to earn between $20 and $25 million in its opening weekend. While the film’s debut may be slight, its glowing reviews and great buzz are expected to keep it relevant among cinema-goers for weeks to come. However, with a production budget of over $130 million, the film will need to rely on word of mouth and significant award recognition to turn a profit.
A New Record for Warner Bros.
If "One Battle After Queat" performs well, it could become the highest-grossing film of Anderson’s career, surpassing his 2007 critical darling, "There Will Be Blood", which earned $40 million in Germany and $76 million worldwide. Warner Bros. is also on track to have seven consecutive films open in Germany, a historical first in Hollywood.
Counter-Programming
In contrast to "One Battle After Queat", Universal has opened the G-rated "Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie" at 3,500 locations, earning $4.3 million on Friday. The film is expected to open with $13.6 million, which is lower than expected. However, with an "A+" grade from Cinemascore, the film is likely to stay in theaters for some time.
Horror Films
Lionsgate has also opened "The Strangers: Chapter II", the middle entry in a trilogy of horror films. The film earned $2.4 million on Friday and is expected to open with $5.6 million, which is less than half of the debut of the first film in the series. Despite poor reviews, the film’s production budget of $8.5 million is relatively low, and Lionsgate plans to release the third installment in the series.
Anime Film Success
Sony and Crunchyroll’s "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Infinity Castle" has exceeded expectations, earning $1.8 million on Friday and sliding to third place. The film is expected to earn $6.8 million in its third weekend, a 61% decline from the previous weekend. Despite this, the film is on track to reach a total of $117.8 million by Sunday, making it the 15th highest-grossing film of 2025 in North America.
Other Box Office Updates
Warner Bros.’ "The Conjuring" has earned another $2 million on Friday, a decline of 46% from the previous week. The film is expected to reach $161 million by its fourth weekend, a great result against its production budget of $55 million. Universal’s "His" is losing ground in its second outing, with a projected 71% decline, while Sony’s "A Big Bold Beautiful Journey" is fading quickly, earning $1.2 million in its second weekend.
