Despite projections favoring Universal’s “Wolf Man” reboot for a box office win over the long weekend, Sony’s “One of Them Days” has managed to surprise, landing in second place and exceeding expectations.
The R-rated buddy comedy, starring Keke Palmer and SZA, opened with $11.6 million from 2,675 theaters over the weekend, outperforming estimates. The film is projected to reach around $14 million through the extended Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. With a modest budget of $14 million, the film has already proven to be a commercial success for Sony. In contrast, “Wolf Man” fell short of its anticipated opening, securing third place with $10.5 million from 3,354 theaters, and is expected to total $12 million by Monday. Despite a production budget of $25 million, the film received lukewarm reviews, with a disappointing “C-” grade on CinemaScore and a 53% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Overall, the weekend marked one of the slowest MLK holiday periods in years, with total box office earnings across all films barely reaching $100 million. Neither “Wolf Man” nor “One of Them Days” had the impact needed to unseat the reigning leader, Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King.” Although “Mufasa” was overtaken last weekend by Lionsgate’s “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera,” it returned to the top spot this weekend, grossing $11.9 million from 3,555 theaters. The film is expected to reach $15.5 million by the end of the holiday. With this performance, “Mufasa” has demonstrated impressive staying power, earning $209.8 million domestically and $588.4 million worldwide.
Meanwhile, “One of Them Days” is benefiting from positive word-of-mouth, bolstered by an “A-” grade on CinemaScore and a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Directed by Lawrence Lamont and produced by Issa Rae, the film follows two roommates racing against time to avoid eviction after one’s boyfriend steals their rent money. Despite a challenging climate for theatrical comedies, Sony has managed to keep the genre alive by controlling costs. Industry consultant David A. Gross praised the film’s performance, noting that the opening was double the average for its genre and that it would likely become a profitable venture as it continues in theaters and ancillary markets.
Internationally, “Wolf Man” struggled, earning just $4.83 million from 53 overseas markets for a global total of $15.3 million. The film, directed by Leigh Whannell, is a reimagining of the 1941 classic about a man who becomes a monstrous creature after being bitten by a mysterious predator. While Whannell’s 2020 remake of “The Invisible Man” became a surprise hit, the latest effort has failed to generate excitement. Universal has shifted away from trying to create an interconnected monster universe, opting instead for standalone films, though results have been mixed. While “The Invisible Man” was a success, “Renfield,” released in 2023, flopped with just $26 million worldwide.
Gross described “Wolf Man” as a “miss” but not a “disaster,” suggesting that its underperformance won’t significantly harm the studio.
On the rest of the box office charts, Paramount’s “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” secured fourth place with $8.6 million over the weekend and is expected to earn $11 million by the end of the holiday. The family-friendly sequel has grossed $218 million in North America and $420 million globally after five weekends, surpassing the earnings of both its predecessors, “Sonic” (2020) and “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” (2022).
Lionsgate’s “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” rounded out the top five, grossing $6.6 million over the weekend and an estimated $7.75 million through Monday. The action thriller, starring Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr., has earned $27.3 million domestically and $10 million internationally. With a $40 million production budget, the film needs continued box office performance to match the success of its predecessor, which grossed $80 million globally.
Related topics:
