In a weekend where family films once again proved their box office dominance, Francis Ford Coppola’s highly anticipated and self-financed epic, “Megalopolis,” failed to draw the crowds. Meanwhile, DreamWorks Animation’s new family offering, “The Wild Robot,” exceeded all expectations, debuting as the No. 1 film at the U.S. and Canadian box office. According to estimates from Comscore, “The Wild Robot” raked in a notable $35 million in its opening weekend, outperforming initial predictions and further solidifying the strength of animated films this year.
“The Wild Robot” Surpasses Industry Expectations
“The Wild Robot,” directed by Chris Sanders, is based on the popular children’s novel by Peter Brown. The film tells the heartwarming story of a shipwrecked robot named Roz who finds herself on a remote island and ends up raising an orphaned gosling. Thanks to its emotionally engaging storyline and high-quality animation, the film has been praised by critics and audiences alike. This resonated with families, who flocked to theaters to enjoy a wholesome, feel-good cinematic experience.
Critics had predicted “The Wild Robot” would perform well, but the film surpassed even the rosiest projections. It garnered an impressive A CinemaScore from audiences, which is a key indicator of strong word-of-mouth promotion. Families often return for multiple viewings when a movie is well-received, meaning the film could enjoy sustained success in the weeks to come. Industry experts are already predicting that “The Wild Robot” will have an extended box office run, drawing in viewers long after its opening weekend.
A Comparison to Pixar’s “Elemental”
The film’s strong opening has drawn comparisons to Pixar’s “Elemental,” another non-sequel animated film that debuted earlier this year. “Elemental” opened to a modest $30 million but saw its box office earnings steadily increase over the following weeks. By the end of its run, “Elemental” grossed close to $500 million globally, proving that well-made family films can build significant momentum over time. This long-tail success, where a film earns more in later weeks than during its opening, is becoming a trend for animated films in 2024.
Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst at Comscore, noted that “The Wild Robot” could take a similar path. He stated, “Family movies have a unique staying power, especially when audiences connect emotionally with the characters. We saw this with ‘Elemental’ earlier this year, and now ‘The Wild Robot’ seems poised for a long, lucrative run.”
The Resurgence of Family Films in 2024
Family-oriented movies have been one of the main drivers of the box office in 2024, and “The Wild Robot” is the latest in a series of successful animated and family films. Earlier in the year, “Inside Out 2” emerged as one of the highest-grossing films of the year, cementing family films as a cornerstone of the moviegoing experience post-pandemic. Industry insiders like David A. Gross, a film consultant who publishes a newsletter for Franchise Entertainment Research, have been bullish on the genre’s resurgence. Gross predicts that family films could collectively generate up to $6 billion in global box office revenue by the end of 2024, a return to pre-pandemic levels.
“The market for family films is back, and it’s bigger than ever,” Gross said. “Studios are finally seeing the payoff of prioritizing original, heartwarming content that appeals to all ages. These films aren’t just for children; adults are also finding value in the emotional narratives.”
“Megalopolis” – A Major Flop Despite Grand Vision
While “The Wild Robot” thrived, Francis Ford Coppola’s passion project “Megalopolis” failed to find its footing. The film, a sprawling epic set in a futuristic New York City influenced by Roman architectural aesthetics, has been decades in the making. Coppola began developing the idea for “Megalopolis” as far back as the late 1970s, but it took over 40 years to bring his vision to life. Despite the director’s legendary status, known for classics like “The Godfather” and “Apocalypse Now,” his latest venture has not been well-received.
“Megalopolis” opened to just $4 million at the box office, a sobering figure for a film that reportedly cost $120 million to produce. Much of this funding came from Coppola’s own pockets, as major studios passed on distributing the film following its lukewarm reception at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. In fact, Lionsgate only agreed to distribute the film on a small scale, with Coppola footing the bill for most of the marketing efforts, totaling an additional $15 million.
Audience and Critical Reception to “Megalopolis”
The critical response to “Megalopolis” has been mixed at best. Some appreciated Coppola’s bold ambition and the film’s aesthetic grandeur, while others found the plot convoluted and the characters underdeveloped. Audience reception was notably harsh, with the film receiving a D+ CinemaScore — a low grade that suggests poor word-of-mouth traction, which is often crucial for a film’s success.
Despite the film’s financial struggles, Coppola remained undeterred by the monetary loss. In an interview with the Associated Press leading up to the film’s release, Coppola expressed that “Megalopolis” was a deeply personal project and not driven by commercial interests. “Everyone’s so worried about money,” Coppola remarked. “I say: Give me less money and give me more friends.” For Coppola, the film was about artistic expression and exploring human potential, even if it didn’t translate into box office dollars.
Box Office Performance of Other Films
In contrast to “Megalopolis,” other films at the box office performed more solidly. After leading the box office for three weeks, Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” the highly anticipated sequel to 1988’s “Beetlejuice,” slipped to second place. However, the film still managed to earn $16 million in its fourth weekend, bringing its domestic gross to $250 million. With its Halloween-themed narrative and nostalgic appeal, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” has been a major hit for Warner Bros., exceeding expectations with its month-long dominance.
In third place was “Transformers One,” a prequel in the Transformers franchise, which earned $9.3 million in its second weekend. Despite its underwhelming debut the previous weekend, Paramount hopes the film will continue to draw in audiences as part of a broader push to revitalize the long-running franchise.
Another surprise hit of the weekend was “Devara: Part 1,” an action-packed Indian Telugu-language film that earned $5.1 million in its U.S. debut, securing fourth place. The movie’s success highlights the growing appeal of Indian cinema in North American markets, with “Devara” standing out among other international films.
“Saturday Night” – A Limited Release Surprise
While most attention was focused on the bigger releases, Jason Reitman’s “Saturday Night” quietly made waves in its limited release. The film is an affectionate dramatization of the behind-the-scenes chaos during the first live broadcast of Saturday Night Live in 1975. Launching in just five theaters across New York and Los Angeles, the film earned a strong $265,000, averaging $53,000 per theater, one of the highest averages of the weekend. With “Saturday Night Live” celebrating its 50th season, Reitman’s film appears well-timed, and there is considerable buzz as the movie is set to expand to theaters nationwide in the coming weeks.
Final Box Office Estimates
Here are the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday in U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Final domestic figures will be released on Monday:
- “The Wild Robot” – $35 million
- “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” – $16 million
- “Transformers One” – $9.3 million
- “Devara: Part 1” – $5.1 million
- “Speak No Evil” – $4.3 million
- “Megalopolis” – $4 million
- “Deadpool & Wolverine” – $2.7 million
- “My Old Ass” – $2.2 million
- “Never Let Go” – $2.2 million
- “The Substance” – $1.8 million
Analysis: The Future of Animated Films and Coppola’s Legacy
The contrast between “The Wild Robot” and “Megalopolis” reflects the current state of the film industry. Family-oriented animated films continue to perform well, appealing to a broad audience base. In contrast, auteur-driven projects like “Megalopolis,” while artistically significant, struggle to find their footing in a marketplace increasingly driven by major franchises and crowd-pleasers. However, Coppola’s legacy as one of cinema’s greatest directors remains intact, even if “Megalopolis” doesn’t find financial success.
With more family films on the horizon and the continued expansion of international cinema, the box office landscape looks dynamic. “The Wild Robot” is expected to have a long theatrical run, potentially following the success of other 2024 animated hits.
