Pedro Pascal stars in A24’s Materialists box office success, as the romantic drama’s debut weekend sets a new high for the studio. Materialists premiered in theaters on June 13, marking one of A24’s strongest openings to date, and making an impact for both its cast and the studio in a highly competitive release period.
Materialists Achieves Historic Box Office Debut
The latest A24 film, Materialists, brings together two familiar faces from the superhero world—Chris Evans, known for his portrayal of Steve Rogers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Pedro Pascal, who has not yet appeared in the MCU but is cast as Reed Richards in the upcoming The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Evans has appeared as Captain America from 2011 through 2019’s Avengers: Endgame and and also made a surprise return as Johnny Storm in Deadpool & Wolverine. Pascal is recognized for major roles in Game of Thrones as Oberyn Martell, Narcos as Javier Peña, The Mandalorian as Din Djarin, and The Last of Us as Joel Miller, establishing his broad appeal in both film and television.
Materialists, written and directed by Celine Song—who previously helmed Past Lives—features Evans as John, a cater waiter, and Pascal as financier Harry Castillo. Both characters pursue matchmaker Lucy, played by Dakota Johnson. Johnson herself has ties to Marvel, starring in the Spider-Man Universe film Madame Web. The movie’s ensemble also includes Marin Ireland, Zoë Winters, Louisa Jacobson, Dasha Nekrasova, Sawyer Spielberg, and John Magaro, each contributing to the intricate romantic dynamics at the story’s core. The film premiered on the same day as the live-action How to Train Your Dragon remake, increasing competition for audience attention.
Box Office Numbers Place Materialists Among A24’s Elite
According to data reported by Deadline, Materialists is projected to reach $12 million in domestic box office revenue during its initial weekend. This figure not only makes it the 52nd film of the year to surpass $10 million in just three days but also positions it as the third-best opening for an A24 title. Higher debuts from the studio include Hereditary by Ari Aster with $13.5 million and Civil War by Alex Garland at $25.5 million, highlighting the strong performance of Materialists amid A24’s impressive catalog.
Potential for Continued Success at the Box Office
Although Materialists delivered one of the best starts in A24’s history, the studio’s typical release strategy often begins with a limited rollout before expanding wider. This means that a strong opening does not always guarantee a spot among the studio’s all-time top grossers. However, with Hereditary ranking as A24’s fourth highest-grossing release and Civil War holding second place, if Materialists maintains its current pace, a position within the Top 5 appears within reach. At a minimum, joining the Top 10 seems probable based on early momentum and audience response.
The film’s draw lies not only in its talented cast, including names like Pedro Pascal, Chris Evans, Dakota Johnson, Marin Ireland, and Zoë Winters, but also in its recognizable director, Celine Song. The involvement of Marvel-connected stars adds further intrigue for moviegoers, connecting Materialists to well-known franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Spider-Man Universe.
As Materialists continues its theatrical run, attention will focus on whether it can sustain and build on its early box office achievements, potentially claiming a significant spot in A24’s history. The film’s performance could signal an increasing appetite for romantic dramas featuring multifaceted characters and high-profile actors, giving A24 an added boost in an environment where blockbuster openings are difficult to secure.
