Paul Thomas Anderson secured the highest opening weekend of his career with the release of One Battle After Another, which earned $22.4 million domestically and $48.5 million worldwide this past weekend, according to Comscore. The blend of a radical comedic thriller and an ensemble cast helped him reach this new milestone in the American film auteur’s box office history.
Strong Cast and Source Material Elevate the Film’s Appeal
At age 55, Anderson has crafted numerous critically acclaimed movies, but few have achieved significant commercial success on their initial release. His 2008 film There Will Be Blood initially grossed less than $200,000 during its limited release, and even after expanding to more theaters, it took six weeks to surpass the three-day haul generated by One Battle After Another. This latest film’s adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s 1990 novel Vineland features major stars including Leonardo DiCaprio, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, Benicio del Toro, and Sean Penn. Though it remains well below the reported $130 million budget, the project’s awards potential hints at sustained interest.
Other Notable Performances on Domestic and Global Box Office Charts
Following Anderson’s success, the G-rated Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie—based on the popular interactive preschool TV series and featuring actress Laila Lockhart Kraner from Black-ish—secured second place with $13.7 million domestically and $19.2 million worldwide. Meanwhile, Japan’s dark anime franchise delivered a strong continued performance as Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle added $7.1 million in U.S. theaters during its third week. Globally, the film has surpassed $600 million, placing it among the top ten highest-grossing films of the year.
Mixed Results for Horror and Thriller Releases
The slasher sequel The Strangers: Chapter 2, directed by Renny Harlin and starring Riverdale’s Madelaine Petsch, debuted with $5.9 million, ranking fifth domestically this weekend. Globally, it earned $7.2 million, managing to surpass its estimated $8.5 million budget. However, this opening is the franchise’s weakest since the 2008 original, which opened at $21 million, signaling a decline in audience interest.
The football thriller Him, starring Tyriq Withers, faced a similarly challenging reception. After a lackluster $13.5 million debut, the film added only $3.6 million domestically in its second week. Reports estimate its budget at $27 million, potentially increasing to $50-$60 million once marketing expenses are factored in, raising concerns about profitability.
Upcoming Releases Set to Contest Box Office Rankings
Next week promises several notable premieres that could challenge Anderson’s hold on the box office crown. Among them is The Smashing Machine, a gritty sports biopic directed by Benny Safdie and starring Dwayne Johnson, portraying mixed martial artist Mark Kerr. Industry analysts anticipate an opening around $20 million. Other expected contenders include the aquatic horror film Bone Lake, the comedy-horror canine thriller Good Boy, and the fantastical drama The Ice Tower, which marks French filmmaker Luicle Hadzihalilovic’s latest project featuring Oscar-winner Marion Cotillard.
Implications and Prospects for Paul Thomas Anderson and Competitors
Paul Thomas Anderson’s achievement with One Battle After Another highlights a significant shift in his career trajectory, combining a star-studded cast and an ambitious adaptation to reach a wider audience than before. Although the film has not yet recouped its full production budget, its awards buzz and strong initial earnings suggest continued box office support. Meanwhile, the contrasting performances of other films illustrate the volatility of current market dynamics, especially within horror and thriller genres. With several high-profile releases imminent, the coming weeks will reveal whether Anderson can maintain his momentum amid intense competition.
“One Battle After Another earned Paul Thomas Anderson the best box office open of his career with a $22.4 million domestic take and $48.5 million globally.” – Source
“The combined star power of Leonardo DiCaprio, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, Benicio del Toro, and Sean Penn has boosted this adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s 1990 novel Vineland to new heights for Anderson.” – Source
