All hail Ghostface.
Paramount’s slasher sequel “Scream 7” is officially the highest-grossing installment in the long-running franchise with $176.9 million, overtaking the lifetime hauls of the original 1996 “Scream” ($173 million) and 1997 sequel “Scream 2” ($172 million), not adjusted for inflation. Those ticket sales for “Scream 7” include $70.4 million at the international box office and $106.5 million domestically. It’s a testament to the studio’s efforts in reviving the property in 2022. Box office watchers attribute the strong turnout to nostalgia for Neve Campbell’s heroic return as Sidney Prescott (she sat out the prior entry due to a salary dispute), as well as the enduring popularity of the horror genre.
In another box office milestone, Chloe Zhao’s Shakespearean tragedy “Hamnet” crossed the $100 million mark on Oscar weekend. The film, which is nominated for eight Academy Awards at Sunday evening’s ceremony, has powered to $100.6 million globally, including a mighty $75.2 million internationally and $24.1 million in North America. Released by Focus Features in the U.S. and Universal in overseas territories, “Hamnet” has climbed to impressive heights at a particularly challenged time for arthouse releases. Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal star in the film as Agnes and William Shakespeare as they grapple with the loss of their son.
In terms of newcomers, Universal’s romantic drama “Reminders of Him” opened to $10 million from 56 international markets. The film, an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, was a bigger draw domestically with $18.2 million, bringing its global total to $28.2 million. It’s a solid start considering the movie cost $25 million to produce.
“Reminders of Him” follows a single mom who returns home after serving five years in prison for a tragic mistake. This is Hoover’s third novel to get the big-screen treatment, as well as her first as a co-writer on the screenplay. Her prior adaptations, 2024’s “It Ends With Us” ($350 million) and 2025’s “Regretting You” ($90 million), were commercial successes that catered to the underserved female demographic. Hoover’s next theatrical venture is October’s “Verity,” starring Dakota Johnson and Anne Hathaway, from Amazon MGM.
Disney and Pixar’s “Hoppers” remained No. 1 at the international box office with $31 million from 45 territories in its second weekend of release. So far, the animated adventure has generated $77.9 million overseas and $164 million globally against a $150 million budget. As long as audiences keep showing up, “Hoppers” looks to be Pixar’s first original hit since 2017’s “Coco.” Otherwise, the animation empire has scored with sequels such as “Inside Out 2” but struggled to draw crowds for new ideas like 2025’s “Elio.”
Buckley, who will likely be an Oscar winner by tomorrow, is enduring the highs and lows of the box office. Her latest film — “The Bride!” — added a tragic $1.7 million from 70 markets in its sophomore outing. With terrible reviews and a negative audience reception, the R-rated “The Bride” has earned a paltry $9.7 million overseas and $21 million worldwide to date. It’s expected to lose many millions for Warner Bros. which spent $90 million to make and $65 million to market the 1930s-set reimagining of “The Bride of Frankenstein.”
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