Furiosa opening box office collection starts at turtle speed

The opening box office collection for Furiosa seemed to be rather slow. The film grossed $58.9 million globally during its first weekend and spanned throughout 76 total markets. The overseas collection was $33.3 million, while the domestic (Friday-Sunday) collection was $25.6 million.

While these figures seemed to be enough for a start, they fell short of expectations set during the film’s preview. Notably, Fury Road, the 2015 instalment in the Mad Max franchise, had a collection of $380 million worldwide (unadjusted).

The film opened at No. 1 with $6.4 million and an impressive 96% CGV score in Korea. It debuted at No. 2, earning $2.6 million from 859 screens in France. In the UK, it secured the top spot with $2.5 million, similar to the performance of John Wick: Chapter 2.

In Mexico, it surpassed Blade Runner 2049 by 41% and John Wick: Chapter 2 by 139%. In Australia, the film began with $2.2 million, on par with Transformers: Rise of the Beasts and 82% higher than John Wick: Chapter 2. IMAX screens contributed significantly, accounting for 17% of the total box office from just 24 screens.

Despite the slower start, the movie has the potential to gain momentum as it opens in additional markets. Fans can look forward to its release in Greece, Japan, and China later this month. The film also achieved its best-ever starts in Hong Kong, India and Taiwan, signalling a strong international presence.

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Why did Furiosa have such a slow start?

The opening box office collection of the movie results from several factors. The cast and characters were a major draw, with Anya Taylor-Joy’s portrayal of Furiosa and Chris Hemsworth’s role as Dementus attracting audiences.

The film’s genre and niche audience also played a crucial part, catering to fans of post-apocalyptic action and dystopian worlds, despite the R-rated content potentially limiting casual moviegoers.

The movie’s global release and strong performances in international markets like Korea, France and Mexico contributed to its opening collection while IMAX Screens accounted for a significant portion of the box office, enhancing the film’s overall revenue.

Favourable weather conditions in Europe during the opening weekend may have also influenced attendance patterns. Lastly, critical reception and word of mouth played a crucial role. Initial reviews and audience reactions seem to have boosted subsequent weeks’ collections.

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What are the reviews saying about Furiosa?

The film Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga has garnered attention from critics. Robert Daniels from Roger Ebert lauded it as:

"one of the best prequels ever made"

He also appreciated the use of Christian iconography and Arthurian legend in the storytelling and commended the performances of both the younger and older Furiosa, played by Alyla Browne and Anya Taylor-Joy respectively.

Koimoi’s review acknowledges the thrilling action sequences and exceptional cinematography and appreciates the stellar performances by the cast, including Chris Hemsworth and Anya Taylor-Joy.

However, it notes that the relentless action may leave viewers yearning for a more impactful climax to Furiosa’s revenge quest.

Ricardo Gallegos, in his Rotten Tomatoes audience review, describes Furiosa as

"another orgasmic spectacle of epic proportions."

He believes the film enriches Fury Road with greater emotional heft while maintaining George Miller’s breathless race.

USA Today rated it three out of four stars. While it’s a pure and perfect action flick with post-apocalyptic hot rods, it doesn’t quite reach the sky-high bar set by Fury Road. Still, it’s a thrilling spectacle with demented confidence.