Twisters, the latest installment in the beloved franchise co-written by Michael Crichton and produced by Amblin, is set to storm into theaters across the USA and Canada with an impressive $50 million opening weekend. This debut easily surpasses the original 1996 film, which started with $41 million.
Internationally, Twisters has already raked in $12.5 million from 38 markets since its recent release. Unlike its predecessor, which saw Warner Bros handling domestic distribution and Universal managing international markets, this time Universal is taking charge at home while Warner Bros handles the overseas rollout. The film is set to expand to an additional 38 markets this week, including major territories like France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, and China. Analysts predict that by the end of the weekend, Twisters' global earnings could reach between $45 million to $50 million, marking it as a strong contender in the international box office arena with a running total surpassing $100 million worldwide. Japan and Korea are among the key markets where the film has yet to premiere.
Adding to the buzz, Twisters recently had a notable screening at the Taormina Film Festival, where the audience got an unexpected natural spectacle as nearby Mount Etna erupted, coincidentally echoing the film's themes.
In the United States, Twisters will debut in a massive 4,000 theaters, including premium formats like Imax, PLFS, and ScreenX. Universal's confidence in the film is evident, having conducted extensive advance screenings leading up to its release. Fans eagerly anticipate special Imax and PLF screenings starting Wednesday evening, with general previews continuing Thursday afternoon ahead of the PG-13 rated film's official release. Pre-sales figures are promising, comparable to 20th Century Studios’ successful summer release, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, which opened to $58.4 million.
The original Twister achieved box office success with $241.8 million domestically and a worldwide total of $494.5 million (not adjusted for inflation or currency fluctuations). Universal is looking to replicate this success, aiming for a strong opening amidst competitive releases like Despicable Me 4, which held its ground with a modest 40% decline in its third weekend, adding $26 million to its impressive $215.8 million domestic haul. Meanwhile, NEON's surprise hit horror film, Longlegs, pulled in $2.6 million on its opening day and is expected to face a typical second-weekend drop of about 60%, projecting around $9 million for its total.
Looking ahead, the cinematic landscape is set for further excitement with the impending release of Deadpool & Wolverine, anticipated to shatter records as the biggest R-rated movie opening ever on July 26, potentially surpassing Deadpool's $132.4 million three-day debut.
Overall, Twisters emerges as a thrilling addition to summer blockbusters, combining nostalgia with cutting-edge visuals and a compelling storyline that promises to captivate audiences both at home and abroad.
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