Twisters tornado sweeps away competition at US box office

Twister sequel achieves third best start of the year.

What films do audiences want to see in theaters? This is the question that is plaguing major studios in this post-Covid era where streaming is king.You have to make things that are worth seeing in the cinema, that are worth getting people in their cars and driving to.“, said Kevin Feige, the big boss of Marvel, a few days ago.Because there's a whole host of entertainment out there that people can scroll through on their screen in their pocket.“

Recently, Furiosathe latest installment of the Mad Max saga, or HorizonKevin Costner's epic western, have been shunned, unfairly or unexpectedly, by audiences. But other films are drawing people in droves, such as Inside Out 2 whose success has exceeded all expectations. Proof that the desire to see a good movie is still there. And this weekend, it's Twisters who was able to push Americans to take their cars and leave their homes.

The continuation of the Twister from 1996, directed by Lee Isaac Chung (Minari) and starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell and Anthony Ramos, has grossed over $80 million at the box office. It is the third best opening of the year behind Inside Out 2 (154 million) and Dune: Part Two (82 million).

This is well above the predictions, which placed it in the range of 50 to 55 million, proof that Hollywood is having more and more trouble understanding the expectations of the public. And it is well deserved for this pure summer blockbuster which keeps all its promises in terms of entertainment.

Does Twisters have any breath? [critique]

The tornado Twisters is the only new release to make the top 5, ahead of another Universal production, Despicable Me 4which has grossed nearly $260 million after three weekends. That's not as impressive as Minions 2: Once Upon a Time Grubut it's still a remarkable score for the franchise which recently passed the $5 billion mark.

Inside Out 2 completes the podium and totals nearly 600 million receipts, confirming its status as the biggest success of the year, with remarkable longevity, ahead of Longlegsthe horror film starring Maika Monroe and Nicolas Cage, and the prequel to Without a sound. Despite everything, the American box office is lagging behind compared to 2023 and the “Barbenheimmer” phenomenon. But thanks in part to the latest Pixar, it is making up some of its delay, going from -21% to -17%.

What films do the public want to see in theaters? Next weekend it's Deadpool & Wolverine who will take the helm, with perhaps the biggest opening in history for an R-rated film (prohibited to minors unaccompanied by an adult). French audiences will discover it on Wednesday, and we will tell you if it is worth getting in your car (or taking the bus or metro) as soon as we have been able to see it.