‘The Wild Robot’ Soars, #6 ‘Megalopolis’ Only $4 Million (but Strong IMAX Response)

Whatever doubts were raised about the continued health of animated releases after last week's tepid start for "Transformers One" (Paramount) were calmed by "The Wild Robot" (Universal). #1 with $35 million, the DreamWorks' production exceeded expectations to claim the top spot. And in doing so, it bucked the trend of cartoon features being all franchise (mostly sequel) all the time.

Not that originality, even when packaged in one of the most publicized films of the year and created by one of the most successful and respected filmmakers of all time, is by itself a draw. Francis Ford Coppola's "Megalopolis" (Lionsgate) found limited interest with $4 million in 1,854 theaters. Coupled with a horrific D- Cinemascore (surprising since it has found some critical support), it would appear to have limited future prospects.

Jason Reitman's "Saturday Night" in five New York/Los Angeles theaters had the second best platform result this year with $265,000 ($53,000 per theater). A strong but not spectacular result, it came with the boost of only mildly favorable reviews (61 score on Metacritic). It will see a two-step expansion, with wide release on October 11.

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" The Wild Robot " (with an additional $18 million so far foreign) received an A Cinemascore, which along with limited family competition near-term and a modest these days $78 million production cost looks headed for significant success (as well as contention for animation awards ahead). In a September that other than the huge "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" (Warner Bros.) has seen several disappoinments, it's a gratifying exception. It had the second best opening this year for any film not part of a franchise.

Tim Burton's sequel is #2 in its fourth week, off only 38 percent with $16 million, $250 million domestic so far. "Transformers One" dropped a bad 62 percent its second weekend, $9.3 million, and looks likely to struggle to pass $60 million. It is performing relatively better foreign so far ($33 million with several major countries ahead), but its again modest $75 million cost will limit the damage.

With a tiny amount of the coverage that " Megalopolis " had and around 40 percent fewer theaters, the Indian Telugu-language "Devara: Part 1" (Prathyangira) took fourth place with $5.6 million. The market for these action films (and the theaters playing them) continues to expand.

For all the negativity surrounding the "Megalopolis" result it should be noted that some theaters were exceptional. Its top five theaters, despite having multiple alternatives nearby, will gross over $300,000 for the weekend, better than "Saturday Night." Boosted by IMAX (which provided 35 percent of the domestic take) in most of these, the best was AMC's Lincoln Square in New York, which will gross over $100,000. It and several other theaters will see it end up #1 for the weekend. That's a stunning contrast with its nationwide reaction (and likely these theaters weren't polled by Cinemascore).

That said, the D+ grade suggests that the ultimate result would likely not have been much different with a limited initial release. And even in the top grossers, the Saturday drops don't suggest continued strength.

Among other top 10 holdovers, #5 "See No Evil" (Universal) did best, down only 26 percent. The long-running "Deadpool & Wolverine" off 30 percent, now at $631 million total. "The Substance" (Neon) in its second weekend in tenth place dropped 44 percent, a little under $7 million so far.

"My Old Ass" (MGM Amazon), the second Audrey Plaza-starring film in the top 10, placed eighth in its third week, expanding to 1,390 theaters and $2.2 million. "Howl's Moving Castle," Fathom's reissue of Studio Ghibli's Miyazaki classic (released originally in the U.S. by Disney), was #11 with $1.6 million. A24's "A Different Man" in week two expanded to 23 theaters for a modest $64,000.

Among other new wide releases, "Vindicating Trump" (SDG) Dinesh D'Souza's latest right-wing agitprop election year documentary, fizzled with only $762,000 in 813 theaters. His earlier "Obama 2016" grossed $13 million, "Hillary's America" $13 million, both aimed at influencing voting their years. This looks like it will fall shy of $2 million. Does this indicate the thrill is gone?

The biopic "Lee" (Roadside Attractions), which premiered at TIFF in 2023 and has two Oscar Best Actress winners (Kate Winslet, Marion Cottilard) among others in its cast, managed only $723,000 in 854 theaters.

Total gross this weekend was $90 million, up slightly from last year. Year to date remains down 11 percent from last year. "Joker: Folie à Deux" (Warner Bros.) next week might help decrease that dropoff.

Top 10

(Universal) NEW – Cinemascore: A; Metacritic:; Est. budget: $78 million

$35,000,000 in 3,962 theaters; PTA (per theater average): $8,834; Cumulative: $35,000,000

(Warner Bros.) Week 4; Last weekend #1

$16,040,000 (-38%) in 3,804 (-368) theaters; PTA: $4,217; Cumulative: $250,133,000

(Paramount) Week 2; Last weekend #2

$9,300,000 (-62%) in 3,970 (-8) theaters; PTA: $2,343; Cumulative: $39,164,000

(Prathyangira) NEW – Est. budget: $21 million

$5,600,000 in 1,040 theaters; PTA: $5,385; Cumulative: $5,600,000

(Universal) Week 3; Last weekend #3

$4,300,000 (-26%) in 2,661 (-714) theaters; PTA: $1,616; Cumulative: $28,140,000

(Lionsgate) NEW – Cinemascore: D+; Metacritic: 56; Est. budget: $120 million

$4,000,000 in 1,854 theaters; PTA: $2,157; Cumulative: $4,000,000

Deadpool & Wolverine (Disney) Week 10; Last weekend #5

$2,657,000 (-30%) in 1,975 (-475) theaters; PTA: $1,345; Cumulative: $631,257,000

(MGM Amazon) Week 3

$2,224,000 (+706%) in 1,390 (+1,357); PTA: $1,357; Cumulative: $2,224,000

(Lionsgate) Week 2; Last weekend #4

$2,220,000 (-51%) in 2,667 (no change) theaters; PTA: $825; Cumulative: $8,253,000

(MUBI) Week 2; Last weekend #6

$1,806,000 (-44%) in 1,600 (-369) theaters; PTA: $1,055; Cumulative: $6,865,000

Other specialized/independent titles

Films (limited, expansions of limited) are listed by week in release, starting with those opened this week; after the first three weeks, only films with grosses over $5,000 are listed. Metacritic scores and initial film festivals recorded when available.

Saturday Night (Sony) NEW – Metacritic: 61; Festivals include: Telluride, Toronto 2024

$265,000 in 5 theaters; PTA: $53,000

(Roadside Attractions) NEW – Metacritic: 62; Festivals include: Toronto, AFI 2024

$723,240 in 854 theaters; PTA: $847

Vindicating Trump (SDG)

$762,000 in 937 theaters; PTA: $937

Veteran 2: I, the Executioner (Bluefox) NEW – Festivals include: Cannes, Toronto 2024

$122,525 in 51 theaters; PTA: $2,402

(IFC) NEW – Metacritic: 52; Festivals include: South by Southwest 2024

$300,012 in 754 theaters; PTA: $398

Howl's Moving Castle (Fathom) REISSUE

$1,615,000 in 1,402 theaters; PTA: $1,152; Cumulative: $(reissue): $1,615,000

A Different Man (A24) Week 2

$64,053 in 23 (+19) theaters; PTA: $2,785; Cumulative: $139,573

In the Summers (Music Box) Week 2

$20,100 in 25 (+23) theaters; PTA: $804; Cumulative: $34,827

(Sony Pictures Classics) REISSUE Week 2 695

$60,773 in 191 (-504) theaters; PTA: $318; Cumulative: $861,168 (reissue only)

Am I Racist? (SDG) Week 3

$1,093,000 in 1,230 (-370) theaters; Cumulative: $11,054,000

Faith of Angels (Purdie) Week 3

$160,470 in 324 (+294) theaters; Cumulative: $346,026

Between the Temples (Sony Pictures Classics) Week 6; also on PVOD

$9,232 in 26 (-42) theaters; Cumulative: $2,054,000

Sing Sing (A24) Week 12

$11,464 in 13 (-22) theaters; Cumulative: $2,741,000