Summary
- Twisters
over-performed, opening to $10.7 million on preview night and debuting to $81.2 million in its opening weekend, exceeding expectations. - Success is tied to the name recognition of the 1996 film and its appeal to middle America, showcasing the importance of engaging diverse audiences.
- Rising star Glen Powell’s charisma and appeal played a significant role in the film’s success, proving he is a box office draw audiences want to watch.
As a lifelong movie buff who grew up in the Midwest, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia and excitement when it comes to the new film, “Twisters.” You see, I remember the original 1996 Twister like it was yesterday. I was just a kid back then, and that film was one of the first movies that truly captured my imagination. The thrilling chase sequences, the heart-pumping action, and the larger-than-life tornadoes left a lasting impact on me.
At the advance screening on Thursday, it was evident that Twisters would surpass expectations with a strong start. The film raked in $10.7 million during its preview night, surpassing the anticipated $7 million as figures came in by the end of the night. The weather proved favorable for the disaster movie as Twisters grossed an impressive $81.2 million over the weekend, around $700,000 more than projected on Sunday. When a film exceeds predictions, especially by a significant $30 million, it becomes evident that the industry has a hit on its hands, capable of captivating audiences. Several elements contributed to this successful box office performance, resulting in an optimal situation for Twisters.
Let’s take a brief trip back to 1996. The movie “Twister,” helmed by Jan de Bont with Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt in the leading roles, marked an early start to summer for Warner Bros. as it hit theaters on May 10. Normally, the summer film season commenced in June. However, Warner Bros. aimed to prove that audiences yearned for major blockbuster productions prior to the official summer commencement. Their theory proved correct as “Twister” drew a massive opening of $41.1 million and continued its success throughout the summer, amassing a domestic revenue of $241.7 million and a global haul of $495.7 million. The film ranked as the second-highest-grossing movie of 1996, trailing only “Independence Day,” and sparked a fresh trend in disaster movies.
Twisters Appealed to Fans of the Original and a New Audience
Read Our Review
Discussions about a new installment in the “Twister” franchise have been ongoing for years, as deciding on an effective creative approach for the continuation was crucial. The enduring popularity of the original film, which was evident this past weekend, can be attributed to its recognizable title. Despite the leads, Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones, along with director Lee Isaac Chung, emphasizing that the movie is distinct and not a true sequel or reboot, some promotional materials hinted at the connections to the 1996 production.
The trailer introduced “Dorothy,” the gadget from the initial film that predicts tornadoes earlier, and although Powell and Jones don’t perfectly embody Paxton’s Bill Harding or Hunt’s Jo Harding, their Tyler Owens and Kate Carter characters share a similar atmosphere, but without the romantic conflict. The title was subtly suggested to be a sequel with just an “S” added, avoiding being labeled as Twister 2.
Universal Pictures seized the opportunity to oversee domestic distribution from Warner Bros., allowing them to focus on making the viewing experience of the 1996 film seem like a natural progression, while simultaneously appealing to audiences encountering the brand for the first time.
In simpler terms, the Midwest region strongly supported the movie “Twisters” despite being prone to tornadoes. Contrary to expectations, these areas became some of the film’s top-grossing markets. Oklahoma City, a city familiar with tornadoes, was among the cities that generated significant revenue for the movie during its opening weekend.
As a gamer, I’d say: “The huge success of that movie proves that box office numbers aren’t just influenced by Los Angeles, New York, or Chicago. There are plenty of other parts of the country, like mine, that crave a great summer blockbuster too. Twisters demonstrated the power of creating a film that resonates with everyone, no matter where they’re from – even in towns that don’t usually make headlines for box office sales. Having a director like Lee Isaac Chung, who’s from Arkansas, at the helm made all the difference. He truly gets middle America and was able to produce a movie that felt authentic and true to the region.”
From the initial promotional materials for “Twisters,” it was evident that the production team intended to position the film as a classic, feel-good summer movie reminiscent of the summer blockbusters from the time “Twister” was released in 1996. With today’s media saturated with coverage of divisive and overwhelming real-life events, there is a growing demand for lighthearted entertainment that takes us on an enjoyable journey. The cast eagerly embraced this concept during their press tour, engaging in activities like playing “Twister” at the junket and creating humorous TikTok dance videos. Essentially, “Twisters” was pitched as a delightful escape from reality for audiences longing for a fun movie experience.
The film “Twister” steered clear of political themes, including climate change, despite its focus on extreme weather. It’s not easy to criticize a production that aims to provide entertainment, and viewers appreciated the movie’s uncomplicated message: it wasn’t striving for innovation and simply aimed to offer an enjoyable cinematic experience for everyone.
Glen Powell Has Become a Box Office Draw
As a huge fan, I can’t help but acknowledge the significant impact Glen Powell had on the success of “Anyone But You,” despite the eye-catching CGI tornadoes. Since his impressive performance in “Top Gun: Maverick,” Powell has been a rising talent to watch, and he’s well on his way to becoming that coveted movie star who can open a film just based on his name alone. Together with Sydney Sweeney, they helped turn “Anyone But You” into one of the highest-grossing romantic comedies in recent years. Now, Powell is leading the cast of a disaster movie that broke records at its box office debut.
I’ve had the pleasure of observing Powell’s rise to fame, and let me tell you, it’s not just about being the flavor of the month. This man has charisma oozing out of him in buckets! As an actor, he’s shown incredible versatility, effortlessly transitioning between different genres. But what truly sets Powell apart is his authenticity. He comes across as a genuine guy both on and off-screen.
Universal Pictures Was Confident in Twisters
Universal Studio expressed faith in “Twisters” by releasing it in late July, close to the highly anticipated “Deadpool & Wolverine.” While they could have opened the movie in May like its 1996 predecessor, they believed “Twisters” was a guaranteed box office success. Audiences are perceptive and can sense a studio’s confidence or uncertainty. With an opening day CinemaScore of “A-,” matching the 1996 film, it is expected that “Twisters” will continue performing well in the coming weeks. Both movies have the potential to thrive at the box office without negatively impacting each other.
Despite the pessimistic news headlines about a sluggish start to the summer movie season, it’s heartening to witness a surge of interest in movies like “Twisters” that have captured audiences’ imagination. This thrilling film has managed to resonate with diverse groups by focusing on the essential element of entertainment and offering an enjoyable escape from everyday concerns. Even though the weather in “Twisters” may be harsh, the pleasure it brings is undeniably stronger than any storm. Go check out “Twisters” now showing in cinemas across the country.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-07-24 01:01