DreamWorks is celebrating an important achievement this weekend with its newest release, The Wild Robot. This animated movie has reached a significant milestone at the domestic box office, crossing the coveted $100 million mark in the United States.
As it continues to perform well, the film is also approaching a larger goal of $200 million in worldwide box office earnings. This success is noteworthy, especially since The Wild Robot was made available on digital streaming platforms just a few days ago. However, it seems that streaming availability has little effect on the success of a theatrical release that is already doing well.
Recent trends show that even when animated films are released for home viewing, they can still attract a large audience to theaters. A prime example of this is Despicable Me 4, which grossed nearly $1 billion worldwide, despite being available for rental on premium video-on-demand (PVOD) services for most of its run.
In its fourth weekend, The Wild Robot generated $101 million in domestic sales, while also earning an impressive $94 million from international markets.
This brings the film’s total global earnings to an outstanding $196 million. This success marks DreamWorks’ second hit in a row this year, following the hugely successful Kung Fu Panda 4, which grossed close to $550 million worldwide.
A Sequel to ‘The Wild Robot’ Is In Development
The production budget for The Wild Robot was reportedly around $80 million. This figure has become the new standard for animated films, especially considering that studios were willing to invest nearly twice that amount before the pandemic affected the industry.
The ability of The Wild Robot to thrive despite its simultaneous release on streaming platforms shows that audiences still appreciate the theater experience, especially for animated features that offer family-friendly entertainment.
Based on the beloved book series by Peter Brown, The Wild Robot debuted after Transformers One, another animated film that did not perform well at the box office. Critics have praised The Wild Robot, giving it exceptional reviews.
The film holds a remarkable “fresh” rating of 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, making it one of the best-reviewed films in the history of DreamWorks. The strong reception from audiences and critics alike has contributed to its impressive box office performance, adding to DreamWorks’ cumulative global box office total, which is nearing $17.5 billion thanks to this film’s success.
The storyline of The Wild Robot centers around a matronly robot named Roz who becomes stranded on a strange new island. She must learn to survive in this unfamiliar land while trying to connect with the local wildlife and find her place in the ecosystem.
This narrative shows themes of adaptation, family, and the bond between nature and technology. The film captures the imagination of viewers, providing both adventure and heartwarming moments that resonate with audiences of all ages.
Directed by Chris Sanders, a veteran of the animation industry, The Wild Robot draws inspiration from the works of renowned filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki. Sanders has a strong background in creating compelling animated films, having previously directed Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon.
The film features an impressive voice cast, including award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o, who brings the character of Roz to life with her unique vocal talent.
Other notable voice actors include Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Mark Hamill, Catherine O’Hara, Matt Berry, and Ving Rhames, all of whom contribute to the film’s rich character development and storytelling.
In response to its success, DreamWorks has recently green-lit a sequel to The Wild Robot, indicating the studio’s confidence in the franchise’s potential. Fans of the film can look forward to more adventures featuring Roz and her friends in the sequel, which promises to build on the original’s themes and show new storylines.
Still from The Wild Robot (Credit: DreamWorks)
Audiences can currently enjoy The Wild Robot both in theaters and at home. This dual-release strategy allows viewers to choose how they want to experience the film, whether it be on the big screen or in the comfort of their own living rooms.
As the movie continues to attract attention and generate positive buzz, DreamWorks encourages fans to stay tuned for more updates about upcoming projects, including the sequel.
The Wild Robot stands as a testament to DreamWorks’ ability to produce high-quality animated films that resonate with audiences. With strong box office numbers, excellent reviews, and the promise of a sequel, it is clear that this film has captured the hearts of many.
DreamWorks continues to demonstrate its commitment to creating entertaining and meaningful animated experiences that leave a lasting impression on viewers around the world. Whether you are a long-time fan of animated films or new to the genre, The Wild Robot is a movie that should not be missed.
After a great performance by Terrifier 3 last week, Paramount’s more mainstream horror movie, Smile 2, had an excellent opening weekend. The sequel film received good reviews and an even better response from the audience, beating its predecessor at the box office in important ways.
The movie topped the domestic charts with about $23 million and made another $23 million from international markets, giving it a total global debut of $46 million.
Smile 2 was produced on a budget of under $30 million and is a direct follow-up to the original hit film from 2022. Both movies were directed by Parker Finn. The first Smile made over $215 million worldwide, thanks to its positive reception and a creative marketing campaign.
The original movie cost about $17 million to produce. Its success showed Paramount that it might have a new horror franchise after its success with A Quiet Place by John Krasinski.
How Smile 2 is Reviving Interest in Horror Films This Year
The sequel has started strong with a solid B CinemaScore from audiences on opening day. This is a slight improvement over the first film’s B- grade and puts Smile 2 in a good position among horror films, which often do not get high ratings from audiences.
Right now, the movie has a “fresh” 83% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which is better than the first film’s 80% score. Jeff Ewing from Collider praised Smile 2 as “an exceptional sequel that improves almost every aspect of the original.”
Still from Smile 2 (Credit: Paramount Pictures)
Despite Smile 2’s success, 2024 has not been very kind to the horror genre. Several big studio titles have not done well at the box office.
Movies like Abigail, Imaginary, Night Swim, and The First Omen all failed to make more than $35 million in the U.S. Only a few titles can be seen as true hits. For example, Longlegs managed to earn a total of $74 million domestically, while Terrifier 3 has already made nearly 20 times its $2 million budget.
Smile 2 revisits themes from the first film but features a new cast that includes Naomi Scott, Rosemarie DeWitt, Lukas Gage, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Peter Jacobson, Raúl Castillo, Dylan Gelula, and Ray Nicholson, along with returning actor Kyle Gallner. The inclusion of fresh faces may have helped attract a wider audience while still keeping familiar elements from the original film.
Smile 2 is proving to be a strong addition to the horror genre in 2024, which has seen some disappointing films. With positive audience reactions and solid box office numbers, it appears that the film is well on its way to becoming a fan favorite.
The positive reception and strong start suggest that horror fans are ready for more, and Smile 2 is setting the stage for potential future installments. As the horror show changes, it will be interesting to see how Smile 2 influences upcoming horror films and whether it can help revitalize interest in the genre.
