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The latest entry in the long-running "Alien" franchise, "Alien: Romulus", has exceeded expectations with a strong $108.2 million global opening weekend. Directed by Fede Alvarez, the sci-fi horror film grossed $41.5 million domestically and $66.7 million internationally, marking an impressive start for the $80 million production.
Industry analyst David A. Gross noted, "A big part of Alien's success has been overseas. 'Romulus' will follow that pattern, but we also expect the foreign numbers to be off to some degree, as several horror movies are doing less foreign business since the pandemic."
China proved to be a key market, contributing $25.7 million to the international total - the second-biggest debut for a Hollywood film in the country this year. Other top territories included Korea ($5.4 million), the United Kingdom ($4.8 million), and France ($3.8 million).
The film's overseas performance is tracking 47% ahead of "A Quiet Place: Day One" and 17% above "Prometheus" in comparable markets at current exchange rates. This bodes well for its long-term prospects, as "A Quiet Place: Day One" has earned $122 million internationally to date.
Set 20 years after the events of the original "Alien" trilogy, "Romulus" follows a group of young space colonists who encounter the deadly Xenomorph species while exploring an abandoned space station. The cast includes rising stars Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, and Isabela Merced.
Critical reception has been largely positive, with many praising Alvarez's direction and the film's return to the franchise's horror roots. However, some viewers have criticized it as derivative, with one online commenter calling it "a big budget facsimile fan film with nothing new to say."
The success of "Alien: Romulus" continues a strong year for Disney, which also saw "Inside Out 2" become the highest-grossing international animated film of all time, surpassing "Frozen 2". Additionally, "Deadpool & Wolverine" crossed the $1.14 billion mark globally, making it the highest-grossing R-rated film in history.
As the seventh installment in a 45-year-old franchise, the robust opening for "Alien: Romulus" demonstrates the enduring appeal of the Xenomorph and the "Alien" brand. With several weeks of clear runway ahead before major competition arrives, the film is well-positioned to continue its strong performance and potentially reinvigorate the franchise for a new generation of moviegoers.
