John Krasinski’s latest film, “IF,” claimed the top spot at the box office this weekend with a $35 million North American debut, according to studio estimates on Sunday. Though slightly lower than some projections, the film’s opening performance has sparked various reactions and narratives.
“IF” stars Ryan Reynolds, Cailey Fleming, and features a host of A-list voices including Steve Carell, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Louis Gossett Jr., Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Maya Rudolph. Krasinski not only directed the film but also wrote and co-starred in it. The movie’s premise, centered around imaginary friends, is an original idea from Krasinski.
Paramount released “IF” in 4,041 locations across North America, and it grossed an estimated $20 million from 56 international markets, bringing its global total to $55 million. With a production budget of $110 million, the film’s future success hinges on its ability to sustain audience interest.
“Families came out in force and they loved the film,” said Chris Aronson, Paramount’s head of domestic distribution.
The film has received mixed reviews, currently holding a 49% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, audiences have responded positively, giving it an A CinemaScore. This mirrors the trajectory of Pixar’s “Elemental,” which had a modest opening but continued to perform well, ultimately grossing nearly $500 million globally.
Aronson is optimistic about “IF” maintaining its momentum, particularly as schools break for summer. “Kids are out of school starting this coming week and I couldn’t think of a better film to be in the marketplace than this one: It’s new, it’s fresh, its original, and it’s such a heartwarming film,” he said.
In other box office news, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” remains a strong contender, earning $26 million in its second weekend and surpassing $100 million domestically. Lionsgate’s horror film “The Strangers—Chapter 1” overperformed with a $12 million debut, thanks in part to an innovative marketing campaign.
Additionally, the Amy Winehouse biopic “Back to Black” opened with $2.9 million, while the IMAX documentary “The Blue Angels” made $1.3 million from 227 screens.
The summer box office season is still ramping up, with anticipated releases like “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” and “The Garfield Movie” set to draw in more viewers. Memorial Day weekend could see a surge in box office numbers as audiences catch up on missed films.
Despite the non-traditional lineup and slower start compared to previous years, analysts like Paul Dergarabedian of Comscore remain hopeful. “Collectively these films should have a solid Memorial weekend,” he said.
—
Photo Credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com