The release of *Land of Bad* by The Avenue, powered by Variance, is an interesting case study of a film that managed to gross $1.8 million on 1,120 screens, landing in the top ten for the weekend. The strong word of mouth surrounding the film is evident in the 37% jump in Saturday grosses from Friday. This success is particularly noticeable on the West Coast and in the heartland/Midwest, with suburban theaters experiencing the biggest Fri-to-Sat growth. The film starring Russell Crowe and Liam and Luke Hemsworth is centered around a covert Special Forces operation in the South Philippines that turns into a brutal 48-hour battle for survival.
Opening alongside *Land of Bad* were the Oscar Nominated Short Films, following their traditional four-week run. This 19-year ritual has become a staple in the film industry, packaging animated, live action, and documentary shorts into feature-length films. This year, the short films managed to gross an estimated $765k on 375 screens for the three-day weekend and $915k for the four days. The breakdown of audience appreciation for each category tends to be consistent year after year, with Animation leading at 45%, followed by Live Action at 40%, and Documentary at 15%. It’s worth noting that Wes Anderson’s *The Wonderful Story Of Henry Sugar* joins the Live Action selection this year, offering audiences a diverse cinematic experience.
A noteworthy mention goes to the new limited opening of *God & Country* from Oscilloscope Labs, which grossed $40.1k on 85 screens nationwide. Directed by Dan Partland and produced by Rob Reiner, this film delves into the rise and threat of Christian nationalism, attracting sold-out and near sold-out shows in various markets. Although the overall gross was impacted by lower-than-average ticket prices in rural and suburban areas, as well as limited screening schedules, the film has garnered significant support from churches and religious organizations across the country. Oscilloscope anticipates a surge in group sales and buyouts as word-of-mouth spreads, especially with the 2024 general election looming.
Continued Success and Recognition
Among the other notable films in the specialty box office category, A24’s *The Zone Of Interest* continues its solid run, grossing $473.5k on 443 screens for a cumulative total of $6.86 million. The international rollout of Jonathan Glazer’s Holocaust film has been generating buzz, with a recent screening at Auschwitz to mark its launch in Poland. The film has also achieved acclaim in the U.K., where it became the highest-grossing film from John Glazer, winning multiple BAFTA awards.
The specialty box office also saw some strong performances from holdover films such as IFC Films *The Taste Of Things* and Neon’s *Perfect Days*. Both films managed to maintain audiences’ interest and continued to attract crowds in their respective theaters. Additionally, Bleecker Street’s survival horror thriller *Out Of Darkness* and Searchlight’s *Poor Things* have also seen success in their limited openings, showcasing the diversity and richness of independent cinema.
The box office landscape remains a vibrant and dynamic space, with a mix of blockbuster hits, indie gems, and award-winning films captivating audiences across the country. The success of films like *Land of Bad*, *The Zone Of Interest*, and *Out Of Darkness* highlights the diverse tastes of moviegoers and the importance of quality storytelling in cinema. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to see how these films fare in the ever-changing landscape of film distribution and exhibition.