As the Fourth of July holiday weekend approaches, dinosaurs are once again taking center stage at the box office. The highly anticipated film, “Jurassic World Rebirth,” has emerged as the leader in ticket sales, successfully earning a staggering $25.3 million on Thursday, marking its second full day of release. This impressive performance brings the film's domestic total to $55.8 million, positioning it as one of the summer's major hits.
With its current trajectory, “Jurassic World Rebirth” is projected to rake in approximately $137.5 million over its first five days in theaters. While these numbers are strong, it's important to note that this sequel's earnings fall short when compared to previous films in the “Jurassic” franchise. For instance, the original “Jurassic World”, released in 2015, rebooted the series with a phenomenal $208 million opening weekend. Other franchise entries, such as “Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom” in 2018 and “Jurassic World Dominion” in 2022, also surpassed “Rebirth’s” initial figures, debuting at $148 million and $145 million respectively.
Despite the comparisons, “Jurassic World Rebirth” is still expected to generate a significant portion of its holiday earnings over the opening weekend, with an estimated $82 million anticipated from the holiday gross. The film follows an action-packed storyline featuring Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and Jonathan Bailey, as they confront a host of ravenous prehistoric creatures while on a quest for biomaterial that could lead to the development of a groundbreaking wonder drug.
Directed by Gareth Edwards, known for his work on “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” and “Godzilla,” this latest installment in the Jurassic saga promises to deliver thrilling adventures. The screenplay is penned by David Koepp, the writer behind the iconic 1993’s “Jurassic Park”, ensuring that the film stays true to its roots while bringing fresh excitement to audiences.
Universal Pictures invested a hefty $180 million in the production of “Jurassic World Rebirth,” with additional millions allocated for marketing. Although this budget is substantial, it is notably less than the $250 million spent on “Dominion,” indicating that Universal is strategically positioning “Jurassic World Rebirth” to captivate audiences and potentially ignite a new trilogy within the beloved 32-year-old franchise.
As the exclusive major release for the weekend, “Jurassic World Rebirth” faces minimal competition. Its closest rival includes Apple Original Films’ “F1,” which garnered $6.1 million on Thursday, pushing its domestic total to $83.5 million. Additionally, Universal's live-action adaptation of “How to Train Your Dragon” added $2.8 million on Thursday, reaching a stateside total of $213 million.
With its captivating storyline, high-profile cast, and the legacy of the Jurassic franchise, “Jurassic World Rebirth” is set to make a significant impact at the box office this holiday weekend, continuing the tradition of thrilling dinosaur adventures that have entertained audiences for decades.
