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TWISTERS hit the multiplexes and ticket sales went through the roof!

Hollywood handicappers originally expected a $50-60M launch for “TWISTERS,” but early this weekend bumped it up to $70-75M. That projection was left in the dust Sunday morning as Comscore reported an estimated $80.5M.

As TWISTERS twisted far stronger than anticipated, moviegoers continued to prove they’re not staying home streaming as long as Hollywood keeps releasing films they want to see.

The 1996 original, TWISTER, from WB/Universal/Amblin was directed by Jan de Bont on a budget of $92M. It starred Helen Hunt & Bill Paxton and opened to $41.1M domestic via WB. It went on to do $241.8M domestic and $494.6M worldwide.

Driven by TWISTERS, this weekend’s domestic marketplace totaled $147.3M, per Comscore Senior Media Analyst Paul Dergarabedian, up 17.2% from the prior weekend, but understandably down 53% vs. this time last year when BARBENHEIMER exploded in theatres. Comscore’s year to date tally has 2024 at $4.33B, down 17% from $5.22B in 2023. The previous weekend, 2024 was down 16% vs. 2023.

Meanwhile, back at the multiplexes: Universal/WB/Amblin Entertainment’s PG-13 action adventure thriller “TWISTERS” was the weekend’s only new wide studio opening. It landed in first place via Universal with $80.5M at 4,151 theatres ($19,393). TWISTERS, which reportedly cost $155M to produce, is directed by Lee Isaac Chung (MINARI) and stars Daisy Edgar-Jones & Glen Powell. Internationally it’s done nearly $43M via WB for a worldwide cume of about $123M.

Going into the weekend, TWISTERS was tracking best for first choice with women under & over 25 (seven points over norm each) and next best with men under & over 25 (four points over norm). RT critics are good at 78% and audiences are cheering at 92%.

Universal also held down the #2 slot on this weekend’s chart with

Universal/Illumination Entertainment’s DESPICABLE ME 4. It slid from first to second place in weekend three with $23.8M (-45%) at 4,112 theatres ($5,788) and a domestic cume of $259.5M. It’s done nearly $575M worldwide on a budget that reportedly was just $100M.

Disney/Pixar’s INSIDE OUT 2 was #3 in weekend six with $12.5M (-36%) at 3,625 theatres ($3,531). IO2, which reportedly cost $200M to produce, has done $596.4M domestic and $1.4B worldwide

Neon’s horror thriller LONGLEGS was #4 in weekend two with $11.7M

(-48%) at 2,850 theatres ($4,105). It’s done $44.7M domestic. Neon reportedly acquired LONGLEGS, which stars Nicolas Cage, for less than $10M. 

Sony/Apple Studios’ second weekend of the rom-com FLY ME TO THE MOON, starring Scarlett Johansson, was #6 with $3.3M (-65%) at 3,356 theatres ($994). MOON, which reportedly cost $100M to produce, has done $16.4M domestic.  

As for next weekend: The weekend’s only new wide studio opening,  Disney/Marvel’s R rated superhero action adventure DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE, is going into about 4,100 theatres. It stars Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool) & Hugh Jackman (Wolverine) and was directed by Shawn Levy (FREE GUY). 

D&W is tracking best for first choice with men under 25 (36 points over norm) and next best with men over 25 (34 points over norm). The Hollywood buzz-ards see a $175-200M opening.