John Krasinski’s new movie “IF” topped the box office this weekend with a $35 million North American debut, slightly below some predictions. The film, which cost $110 million to produce, stars Ryan Reynolds, Cailey Fleming, and features a star-studded voice cast including Steve Carell, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, and more. Despite mixed reviews from critics, audiences gave it a solid A CinemaScore, indicating potential for long-term success, especially as summer begins for school-age children.
Paramount, the studio behind “IF,” is optimistic about its potential in the coming weeks, particularly with school holidays starting soon. With no major blockbuster hits dominating the box office this summer so far, “IF” provides a family-friendly option that could gain momentum over time, similar to Pixar’s “Elemental” last year, which initially appeared lackluster but ended up earning nearly $500 million globally. Other movies like “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” continue to perform well, surpassing $100 million domestically in just 10 days.
Alongside “IF,” Lionsgate’s horror film “The Strangers—Chapter 1” overperformed with a $12 million debut, showcasing the diverse offerings at the box office this weekend. The Amy Winehouse biopic “Back to Black” and the IMAX documentary “The Blue Angels” also made their debuts, adding to the mix of films available to audiences. As the summer movie season officially kicks off, the industry is waiting to see how upcoming releases like “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” and “The Garfield Movie” will impact box office numbers.
Despite a slow start to the summer box office season and a 20% decline compared to last year, analysts remain cautiously optimistic about the potential for growth as more big releases hit theaters. Memorial Day weekend, in particular, could provide a boost as moviegoers catch up on films they may have missed earlier in the season. While the 2024 box office may not reach the heights of 2023, there is hope that a variety of films, including “IF,” will collectively contribute to a solid Memorial weekend box office. Final domestic figures for this weekend will be released on Monday, providing a more comprehensive view of the overall performance at U.S. and Canadian theaters.
