Lee Isaac Chung’s latest film, “Twisters,” has stormed into theaters, surpassing all expectations with a staggering domestic opening weekend of $80.5 million in North America. This figure marks a significant increase from Saturday’s already impressive estimate of $74.6 million.
Playing across 4,151 theaters, “Twisters” now holds the title for the highest domestic opening ever for a natural disaster film, unadjusted for inflation. The previous record was held by Roland Emmerich’s “The Day After Tomorrow,” which debuted at $68.44 million in 2004. Additionally, “Twisters” claims the third-largest opening of the year to date, following “Inside Out 2” ($154.2 million) and “Dune: Part Two” ($82.5 million), narrowly edging out “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” ($80 million).
The ensemble cast led by Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, and Anthony Ramos has solidified their star status with the overwhelming turnout for “Twisters.” Director Lee Isaac Chung, acclaimed for his indie hit “Minari,” celebrates a notable triumph with the film’s broad demographic appeal. Both male and female audiences, spanning various age groups, have embraced the film, hinting at potential franchise success. Critical reception on Rotten Tomatoes stands at a respectable 77%, while audience approval soars at 92%, reflecting an A- grade from Cinemascore.
Filmed in Oklahoma, deep in Tornado Alley, “Twisters” resonates particularly well in regions affected by severe weather, with top theaters reporting robust attendance, notably in Oklahoma itself. Backed by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment, Universal Pictures, and Warner Bros. Pictures, the film’s domestic distribution by Universal and international release by Warner Bros. has proven to be a strategic success for Amblin.
Internationally, “Twisters” has encountered mixed results, falling slightly short of expectations with a weekend haul of $27.1 million from 76 markets, accumulating a global total of $132.2 million against a net budget of $155 million. Strong performances in Latin America, Australia, and the UK contrast with disappointing figures in China, where it grossed only $1.5 million.
Initial forecasts had placed “Twisters” within the $40 million to $50 million range domestically, with some industry projections exceeding expectations but none predicting a weekend as formidable as $80 million. Its commanding performance over the weekend solidifies “Twisters” as the standout release, particularly in light of challenging year-over-year comparisons.
Elsewhere at the box office, Universal and Illumination’s “Despicable Me 4” continues to soar, crossing the $500 million mark globally, while Pixar and Disney’s “Inside Out 2” maintains its impressive run, nearing $600 million domestically.
In conclusion, “Twisters” not only redefines the disaster film genre but also sets a new standard for box office success, promising a lucrative future for its creators and distributors alike.
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