Indie Films Shine at the Box Office: Highlights from the Weekend
This weekend, the indie film scene showcased an impressive lineup, featuring the documentary It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley, Kristin Scott Thomas’ directorial debut My Mother’s Wedding, and the quirky animated film Boys Are From Jupiter. While these films may not significantly impact the summer box office dominated by major studio releases like Weapons and Freakier Friday, they highlight a growing interest among moviegoers for diverse cinematic experiences.
Leading the Indie Charge
Together, a body horror film by Michael Shanks, took the top spot in the indie box office. Starring Dave Franco and Alison Brie, it grossed $2.6 million in its second week across 2,225 screens, bringing its total to $17.2 million. Following closely was Sketch, an adventure fantasy from Angel Studios written and directed by Seth Worley, which opened to $2.5 million on 2,157 screens, accumulating $5 million in total.
In Sketch, single dad Tony Hale faces unexpected challenges when his daughter’s dark, whimsical drawings come to life, causing chaos in their small town. The film features a talented cast, including D’Arcy Carden, Biana Belle, Kue Lawrence, and Kalen Cox.
A Tribute to Jeff Buckley
Magnolia Pictures’ It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley, directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Amy Berg, made a strong debut with $400,000 from 120 theaters. The documentary offers an intimate look at the life of the iconic musician who tragically passed away at the young age of 30, leaving behind a powerful legacy and an unfinished second album. Through rare archival footage and personal stories from those close to him, the film captures Buckley’s enduring impact on music. With sold-out screenings nationwide, Magnolia’s head of distribution and marketing, Neal Block, emphasized the passionate support from Buckley’s fans, who were also excited about limited edition posters available at theaters.
Innovative Animation from Cartuna
Boys Are From Jupiter, Cartuna’s first theatrical release, opened exclusively at New York’s IFC Center to an impressive $15,000, marking the best opening weekend for an animated film this year. The Tribeca Festival selection features a voice cast that includes Julio Torres, Janeane Garofalo, and SNL’s Sarah Sherman. The story follows a teenager in suburban Florida, Billy 5000, whose attempts to earn $5,000 are turned upside down by the arrival of an eccentric extraterrestrial creature. Director Julian Glander’s debut exceeded expectations, thanks to multiple sold-out screenings and effective social media marketing.
Kristin Scott Thomas’ Directorial Debut
Vertical’s My Mother’s Wedding debuted with a solid $432,000 on 402 screens. This family comedy, marking the directorial debut of Kristin Scott Thomas, who also stars alongside Scarlett Johansson, Sienna Miller, and Emily Beecham, performed well in upscale markets across the U.S., particularly in New York and Los Angeles, as well as in cities like Kansas City and Houston.
Horror and Documentaries on the Rise
Roadside Attractions introduced the horror film Strange Harvest by Stuart Ortiz, which opened to $214,000 at 770 locations. The chilling narrative follows detectives as they hunt a sadistic serial killer linked to grotesque, otherworldly crimes.
Additionally, Hind Meddeb’s documentary Sudan, Remember Us, showcased at the DCTV Firehouse in NYC and Hot Docs Cinema in Toronto, opened to $6,600 from two locations, with sold-out screenings and filmmaker Q&A sessions. The documentary, which explores the power of creativity as a tool for survival during a revolution, is receiving critical acclaim and positive word-of-mouth, boasting a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Looking Ahead
As the summer continues, indie films are proving their resilience and appeal at the box office. With upcoming releases and expanding markets, audiences can look forward to a variety of unique and compelling cinematic experiences.
