LOS ANGELES, CA – The box office battle between Warner Bros’ “Furiosa” and Alcon/Sony’s “The Garfield Movie” continues to intensify, with both films neck and neck in the race for the top spot this Memorial Day weekend. Initial reports suggest that both movies are on track to earn around $31 million over the course of four days, with $25 million in three days. The competition between the two titles remains fierce, with “Garfield” edging slightly ahead of “Furiosa” by a slim margin of $31 million to $30.96 million.
Despite the close race, this Memorial Day weekend is poised to witness the lowest opening for a No. 1 film in 29 years, with the last record set in 1995 by “Casper” at $22 million. Over the weekend, “Garfield” managed to surpass “Furiosa” in box office earnings, leading with $8.3 million on Saturday compared to “Furiosa’s” $8 million, positioning the former for success on Sunday and Monday.
Some industry analysts attribute Warner Bros’ late marketing push for “Furiosa” as a contributing factor to its slower start at the box office. While the film was teased as early as Q4 at the Brazilian Comic-Con with stars Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth, the delayed momentum may have impacted its performance. Another factor speculated is the replacement of Charlize Theron with Taylor-Joy in the title role, shifting the film’s appeal within its fanbase.
In audience surveys, “Furiosa” benefited from its loyal franchise following, with 52% stating they attended due to their love for the series and 34% citing director George Miller as a draw. On the other hand, “Garfield” attracted viewers with its promise of light-hearted entertainment. The success of “Garfield” is a promising sign for Sony and Alcon, as the film is anticipated to be profitable despite its $60 million production cost.
As the weekend progresses, Paramount’s “IF” and 20th Century Studios/Disney’s “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” also vie for audience attention, with competing box office figures. The diverse slate of offerings at the box office signals a gradual return to pre-pandemic levels of theatrical activity, providing hope for the industry’s recovery.
Overall, the weekend’s box office results reflect a mix of established franchises and new releases vying for audience attention and box office success. As the final numbers come in, industry observers eagerly await to see which film will emerge victorious in the hotly contested Memorial Day weekend battle at the box office.
