Photo Credit: Paramount
Paramount’s prequel to the acclaimed horror series, ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’, is poised to make a deafening noise at the box office with an anticipated opening of over $40 million. This forecast comes close to the $47.5 million debut of its sequel during the 2021 Memorial Day weekend, signaling a robust return for the franchise as theaters continue to recover from the pandemic’s impact.
Directed by Michael Sarnoski of “PIG” fame, the film stars an ensemble cast including Lupita Nyong’o, Joseph Quinn, Djimon Hounsou, and Alex Wolff. ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ delves into the harrowing events of the alien invasion, offering a fresh perspective on the catastrophe that befalls one of the world’s largest cities. The narrative is expected to resonate with a diverse audience, bolstered by the franchise’s solid following among the 13-34 demographic and a broad appeal across various ethnic groups.
The success of ‘A Quiet Place’ has been nothing short of spectacular, with the two previous films amassing over $638 million globally. The original film surprised industry experts with a $50.2 million opening and a total haul of $340.9 million worldwide. Its sequel followed suit, initially slated for a 2020 release but delayed to 2021 due to Covid, eventually grossing $297.3 million globally.
In contrast, Kevin Costner’s ambitious western, ‘Horizon: An American Saga’, is tracking for a more modest opening, with projections ranging between $9 million and $12 million. Despite its premiere at Cannes and Costner’s resurgence with “Yellowstone”, the film’s lengthy runtime and genre may be contributing factors to its subdued initial tracking figures.
As ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ gears up for its release, it stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of genre films, potentially marking a significant moment for such movies at the box office. Meanwhile, ‘Horizon: An American Saga’ serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of film success, regardless of star power or budget. The coming weeks will reveal whether these predictions hold true, as audiences return to theaters for these highly anticipated releases.
