Zombie Summer Showdown '28 Years Later' and 'Elio' Enter the Box Office Arena!

Box Office Buzz: '28 Years Later' Sinks Its Teeth into $5.8M in Previews, Pixar's 'Elio' Launches with $3M

The summer box office is heating up, and the Juneteenth holiday weekend brought a mix of familiar favorites and fresh faces to the big screen. Universal's How to Train Your Dragon soared to the top spot on Thursday, raking in $9.7 million and pushing its domestic total close to $125 million as it enters its second weekend.

But the real story lies in the performance of two highly anticipated newcomers: Danny Boyle's 28 Years Later and Pixar's Elio, both of which leveraged the holiday to kick off their theatrical runs with early previews.

A Zombie Resurgence: '28 Years Later'

Danny Boyle's zombie sequel, distributed by Sony, is making a strong statement with a preview gross of $5.8 million. This figure places it second for Thursday, although preview numbers are ultimately incorporated into the opening day's total.

Here's a quick rundown:

• Sony projects a weekend opening in the $28 million range.
• Tracking data suggests the film could reach $30 million or more.
• Some analysts believe it could even scare up between $40 million and $45 million.

However, despite critical acclaim (currently boasting a 92% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes), audience reception appears somewhat more lukewarm, with a current audience score of 69%. This disparity could impact its long-term performance.

This film marks a reunion for Boyle and writer Alex Garland, 25 years after 28 Days Later became a cult classic. With a stellar cast including Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes, 28 Years Later aims to revitalize the zombie genre and launch a planned trilogy.

Pixar's New Frontier: 'Elio'

Disney/Pixar's Elio, an original story about a boy who dreams of space travel, garnered $3 million from Thursday previews and select early access screenings. This marks a significant entry for Pixar as they navigate the evolving landscape of animated film releases.

The outlook:

• Early projections estimate an opening of $30 million in North America.
• Pixar is cautiously prepared for a potentially lower opening, possibly mirroring the performance of Elemental ($29.6 million) or even Toy Story ($29.1 million, unadjusted for inflation).

Pixar's Path Forward

Pixar has faced challenges in recent years, particularly with original animated stories not achieving the blockbuster openings they once did. The studio also navigated the impact of sending titles directly to Disney+ during the pandemic, a move that some believe altered audience viewing habits.

Despite these hurdles, Pixar remains committed to theatrical releases, blending original concepts with established franchises. The monumental success of Inside Out 2, which grossed over $1.69 billion worldwide, underscores the studio's enduring power and ability to connect with audiences globally.

While Elio's opening performance remains to be seen, Pixar is optimistic about its potential for long-term success, particularly during the summer months when families are seeking entertainment. The film currently enjoys a favorable critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, and hopes are high that it will resonate with audiences as well.

The box office landscape is constantly shifting, and the success of 28 Years Later and Elio will depend on their ability to captivate audiences beyond the initial buzz. As the summer movie season unfolds, it will be fascinating to see how these films perform and shape the future of their respective genres.

Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/danny-boyle-28-years-box-office-elio-1236295773/