- Sci-fi thriller earns $19.1M domestically, $53.3M globally against $118M budget
- 47% of revenue from premium formats; South Korea contributes $14.6M
- Mixed audience engagement despite 79% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes
Bong Joon Ho’s highly anticipated follow-up to Parasite has claimed the top box office spot, with Robert Pattinson’s experimental sci-fi project drawing curious audiences despite looming profitability concerns. The Warner Bros. release outperformed Captain America: Brave New World in its fourth weekend, signaling appetite for original storytelling in a franchise-dominated market.
Industry analysts note the film’s performance highlights Hollywood’s high-stakes balancing act. While premium format screenings drove nearly half its domestic revenue, the $118M production cost—excluding global marketing expenses—requires sustained theatrical momentum. The project’s multiple delays, exacerbated by 2023’s labor strikes, may have dampened audience anticipation despite Bong’s Oscar pedigree.
South Korea emerged as a bright spot, delivering $14.6M (42% of international earnings). This regional success underscores Bong’s cultural cachet following Parasite’s historic 2020 Best Picture win. However, domestic performance skewed heavily toward coastal urban centers, with New York and Los Angeles accounting for 31% of U.S. ticket sales.
The film’s trajectory reflects broader industry challenges. Despite a 1% year-over-year box office increase, 2025 revenues remain 34% below pre-pandemic levels. Comscore’s Paul Dergarabedian observes, “Theatrical recovery remains uneven—tentpole releases and auteur-driven projects must coexist to rebuild audience habits.”
Meanwhile, Neon’s Best Picture winner Anora saw a 595% surge after its Oscar triumph, grossing $1.9M in expanded release. The weekend’s other newcomers—including In the Lost Lands ($1M) and Rule Breakers ($1.6M)—highlight theaters’ ongoing reliance on diverse programming to maintain foot traffic.
