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There was CIVIL WAR at the multiplexes this weekend, but no battle for first place.

A24’s R rated action thriller about America in yet another dystopian future easily captured the top spot on the boxoffice chart with $25.7M as the major studios sat this weekend out. That seems like especially bad timing since they just finished celebrating the future with exhibitors at CinemaCon! Hollywood’s yo-yo distribution system will, however, snap back to life next weekend with three wide studio releases (details below).

Meanwhile, back at the multiplexes: CIVIL’s $25.7M launch, per Comscore, was at 3,838 theatres ($6,699). It reportedly cost $50M+ to produce, making it indie A24’s biggest ever budget — but it’s also A24’s biggest opening ever. Hollywood handicappers were originally projecting a debut to $15-20M and then upped it to $20-23M — so CIVIL has definitely exceeded expectations.

“CIVIL WAR launches its IMAX run with $5M this weekend from 530 screens, globally,” Comscore Senior Media Analyst Paul Dergarabedian reported. “In North America, the Alex Garland helmed thriller opens to $4.2M, 16.5% of the Domestic total from only 400 IMAX screens. CIVIL WAR continues its IMAX campaign next weekend, opening on an additional 160 IMAX screens in 31 markets, including France, Germany, India, Mexico, Brazil, Switzerland, and Scandinavia.”

This weekend’s overall marketplace, per Comscore, totaled $74.3M, down 15.4% from the prior weekend and down 50% vs. this time last year. Comscore’s year to date tally has 2024 at $1.89B, down 16% from $2.25B in 2023.

WB/Legendary Entertainment’s GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE was second in weekend three with $15.5M (-50.49%) at 3,847 theatres ($4,016), per Comscore. GxK, which reportedly cost $135M to produce, has done $157.9M domestic with a global cume of $436.6M.

Sony/BRON Studios’ GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE was #3 in weekend four with $4.8M (-35.58%) at 3,350 theatres ($1,731). EMPIRE, which reportedly cost $100M to produce, has done $96.97M domestic with a global cume of $160M.

As for next weekend: Three new studio titles are going after different demos. Universal/Project X Entertainment’s R rated horror thriller ABIGAIL is tracking best with women under 25, but just equal to norm. It’s below norm with all other demos. ABIGAIL, which is opening at about 3,200 theatres, is looking good on Rotten Tomatoes with an 85% critics’ score (but no audience score yet).

Lionsgate/Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ R rated action war drama THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE, opening at about 2,600 theatres, is tracking below norm with all demos, but doing better with men than with women. No Rotten Tomatoes scores yet.

Sony/Crunchyroll’s PG-13 anime action comedy SPY X FAMILY CODE: WHITE, opening at about 2,000 theatres, is tracking best with women under 25 (three points over norm) and next best with men under 25 (one point over norm). No Rotten Tomatoes scores yet.