Warner Bros. has enjoyed a remarkable series of box office successes, but the studio's impressive streak will soon be tested with the release of director Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio’s highly anticipated film, “One Battle After Another”, this weekend. Early indications show that the film has made an impressive $3.1 million during Thursday previews, hinting at strong initial interest.
The epic action thriller is projected to open with earnings between $20 million to $25 million this weekend. This anticipated performance aligns closely with DiCaprio’s previous opening weekend, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” directed by Martin Scorsese in 2023, which also featured Robert De Niro. With DiCaprio’s undeniable star power and Anderson’s esteemed reputation as an auteur, “One Battle After Another” must perform exceptionally well at the box office. The film carries a hefty $130 million production budget, meaning it will need to gross approximately $300 million to break even.
Notably, Anderson's highest-grossing film to date is the critically acclaimed “There Will Be Blood,” released in 2007, which earned $76.4 million globally. This history adds an interesting layer to the expectations surrounding “One Battle After Another,” as it aims to surpass Anderson's previous financial achievements.
Warner Bros. has seen a consistent series of box office hits, with their last seven films opening above $40 million. This impressive lineup includes titles such as “A Minecraft Movie,” “Sinners,” “Final Destination Bloodlines,” and “F1: The Movie,” which the studio distributed for Apple. Other successful releases include “Superman,” “Weapons,” and “The Conjuring: Last Rites.” This strong performance could alleviate some of the pressure on “One Battle After Another” as it opens in theaters.
In “One Battle After Another,” Leonardo DiCaprio portrays a washed-up revolutionary who struggles to raise his teenage daughter amidst the reemergence of an enemy from his past. The film boasts a talented cast, featuring Sean Penn, Teyana Taylor, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, Chase Infiniti, and others, adding to the film's appeal.
Also opening this weekend is Universal’s family-friendly film, “Gabby’s Dollhouse,” which is targeting an opening of $12 million to $15 million. Based on the popular Netflix series for preschoolers, it has already made $700,000 in previews. Additionally, Lionsgate’s “The Strangers: Chapter 2,” the second installment of the rebooted horror trilogy, is expected to earn between $6 million to $8 million, having made $630,000 in previews.
As the weekend unfolds, all eyes will be on Warner Bros. and the performance of “One Battle After Another”, which could significantly impact the studio's box office momentum.
