The summer box office continues to heat up as Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps maintains its grip on the No. 1 spot, even as it faces a significant drop in its second weekend. Meanwhile, new releases The Bad Guys 2 and The Naked Gun make strong debuts, and DC’s Superman and Universal’s Jurassic World Rebirth hold steady in the top five. Here’s a deep dive into the weekend’s box office performance, analyzing the trends, challenges, and what’s next for these cinematic heavyweights.
Fantastic Four’s Steep Decline: A Cause for Concern?
Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps earned $40 million domestically in its second weekend, a 66% drop from its impressive $117.6 million debut. This sharp decline has raised eyebrows, especially given the film’s positive critical and audience reception, boasting an 88% Rotten Tomatoes score and an “A-” CinemaScore. Starring Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm, and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, the film was poised to be a cornerstone for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) after recent underperformers like Thunderbolts and The Marvels.
While a 66% drop is steep, it’s not entirely unexpected in the superhero genre, where front-loaded openings are common due to eager fan bases. For comparison, DC’s Superman saw a more modest 53% drop in its second weekend, though it faced less direct competition. Fantastic Four’s domestic total now stands at $198.4 million, falling just short of the $200 million mark analysts had hoped for by Sunday. Globally, the film has earned $368.7 million, including $170.3 million internationally, trailing Superman’s $235 million overseas cume.
The film’s retro 1960s setting and character-driven storytelling have been praised, but analysts suggest franchise fatigue and mixed word-of-mouth may be impacting its staying power. With a $200 million production budget, Marvel needs Fantastic Four to maintain momentum to justify its investment and set the stage for future MCU projects like Avengers: Doomsday.
New Releases Shine: The Bad Guys 2 and The Naked Gun
Two newcomers made waves at the box office, targeting different demographics and adding variety to the summer slate. Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s The Bad Guys 2 opened to a solid $22.8 million from 3,852 theaters, matching the $23 million debut of its 2022 predecessor. The animated heist comedy, featuring voices like Sam Rockwell and Marc Maron, follows reformed animal outlaws on one last job. With an $80 million budget and an “A” CinemaScore, the sequel is poised for a healthy run, especially as family-friendly options remain scarce. Its global tally stands at $44.5 million, bolstered by $16.3 million internationally.
Paramount’s The Naked Gun, a reboot of the classic comedy franchise, debuted with $17 million from 3,344 theaters. Directed by Akiva Schaffer and starring Liam Neeson as the bumbling Frank Drebin Jr., alongside Pamela Anderson and Paul Walter Hauser, the film carries a modest $42 million budget. It's $28.5 million global start, including $11.5 million overseas, signals a promising return for theatrical comedies, a genre that’s struggled post-COVID. Positive reviews and strong audience reception, including an “A” CinemaScore, suggest The Naked Gun could have legs in the coming weeks.
Superman and Jurassic World Rebirth Stay Competitive
DC’s Superman, directed by James Gunn, continues to perform admirably in its fourth weekend, earning $13.9 million domestically for a $316.2 million North American total. Globally, the film has soared past $551.2 million, a major win for DC Studios after a string of disappointments. Its 53% second-weekend drop remains a benchmark for superhero films, highlighting its strong word-of-mouth and appeal. Starring David Corenswet as the Man of Steel, Superman is pacing just behind 2022’s The Batman domestically and is on track to challenge Wonder Woman’s $400 million-plus haul.
Universal’s Jurassic World Rebirth rounded out the top five with $8.7 million in its fifth weekend, bringing its domestic cume to $317.6 million and global total to $766 million. The soft reboot, starring Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and Jonathan Bailey, has been a steady performer, though it trails slightly behind Jurassic World: Dominion’s final tally. Its $180 million budget and consistent audience interest ensure it remains a success for Universal, with potential for future sequels.
What’s Next for the Summer Box Office?
The weekend’s total box office reached $185.6 million, a 36% increase from the previous week but 35% below last year’s Deadpool & Wolverine-fueled frame. With summer revenues at $3 billion, analysts are optimistic about reaching the $4 billion mark, a feat achieved only once post-COVID during 2023’s “Barbenheimer” phenomenon. The diverse August lineup, including The Naked Gun, The Bad Guys 2, and Neon’s horror-comedy Together ($6.8 million debut), caters to varied audiences, potentially sustaining momentum.
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However, Fantastic Four’s sharp decline raises questions about the superhero genre’s future. Posts on X reflect fan disappointment, noting the 66% drop as one of the MCU’s steepest for films opening under $150 million, trailing only The Marvels and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Meanwhile, Superman’s resilience suggests DC may have found a formula to counter Marvel’s dominance. As the summer winds down, all eyes are on whether Fantastic Four can rebound and how new releases will shape the box office landscape.
Conclusion
The Fantastic Four: First Steps remains a box office leader but faces challenges with its significant second-weekend drop. Strong debuts from The Bad Guys 2 and The Naked Gun highlight the appeal of diverse genres, while Superman and Jurassic World Rebirth prove the enduring draw of established franchises. As the summer box office nears its close, the industry is poised for a potentially record-breaking season, driven by a mix of superhero epics, family-friendly animations, and nostalgic comedies. Stay tuned for more updates as the race to $4 billion continues.
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