‘Twisters’ Box Office: How 4DX Screenings and Midwestern Moviegoers Propelled the Sequel to Blockbuster Status

As a longtime movie critic with a Midwestern background, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement and nostalgia as I witness the success of “Twisters.” Having grown up in the heartland where tornados are an all-too-familiar threat, I can relate to the intense fascination that this disaster movie has ignited among audiences.

As a long-time movie enthusiast and industry observer, I must admit that I was genuinely impressed by the recent box office success of “Twisters.” Having attended countless premieres and followed box office trends for years, I can confidently say that this film’s $81.25 million opening weekend was nothing short of remarkable.

I can’t help but get excited about the release of “Twisters,” the long-awaited follow-up to the iconic 1996 disaster film “Twister.” The original movie, featuring Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton, Cary Elwes, and Philip Seymour Hoffman, was a massive success with over $496 million in global box office (equivalent to almost $1 billion today). It’s a timeless classic that continues to resonate with fans.

Analysts note that having a familiar brand isn’t enough to attract cinema-goers nowadays. For instance, “Furosia: A Mad Max Saga,” released in May, failed to draw crowds despite positive reviews. Similarly, last year’s major sequels like “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” and “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” underperformed significantly at the box office, resulting in substantial losses. Consequently, “Twisters,” which premiered recently, was successful because it didn’t rely on established names or characters to pique interest. Instead, this sequel, helmed by “Minari” director Lee Isaac Chung, introduced a fresh cast consisting of Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, and Anthony Ramos. They battle against the elements as multiple tornadoes wreak havoc over central Oklahoma.

As a film industry insider with years of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that Universal’s decision to back “Twisters,” a movie with a $155 million budget, was a shrewd one. The film has already raked in an impressive $123.2 million at the global box office, and the positive response from audiences is evident in its A-grade CinemaScore. I’ve seen this pattern play out countless times – a well-executed movie with strong word of mouth can work wonders for its box office performance.

Mike Barstow, executive VP of Main Street Theatres in Nebraska, describes it as “a typical, enjoyable summer movie” full of amusement. Despite being a sequel, he explains that viewers discovered it could be watched independently without feeling compelled to follow the previous installment closely. It didn’t feel repetitive or rehashing the same old story.

As a cinephile from the Midwest, I’ve grown accustomed to the destructive power of nature’s wrath. “It’s part of our reality here,” Barstow and I share in agreement. “Growing up, we’ve all had our fair share of encounters with tornados.” For us, the film struck a chord because it mirrored our lived experiences. The harrowing portrayal of survival against the backdrop of Mother Nature’s fury resonated deeply within our community.

As a devoted cinephile hailing from the Midwest, I can attest to the surprising success of “Twisters” in our region’s cinemas. Typically, the highest-attended venues are located in New York City and Los Angeles. However, during the past weekend, the top-grossing theater for “Twisters” was none other than Regal Warren Moore in Oklahoma City. The No. 3 spot went to Regal Pinnacle in Knoxville, Tennessee. Furthermore, Santikos Palladium in San Antonio and AMC locations in Nashville and Dallas also made it to the list of top-performing theaters for this film.

“Barstow shares that we’ve reached full attendance or close to it for each performance, and I believe it will continue this way until August.”

Some exhibitors in the heartland of the country confess that they don’t fully grasp the reason for the extraordinary popularity among visitors who have firsthand experience with tornados.

Blake Hastings, CEO of Santikos with 27 theaters across the south and midwest, shares, “I find it challenging to grasp the human mind’s depths, yet perhaps watching a film depicting a calamity worse than reality can be beneficial for some. The allure of storm chasers lies in their danger and risk. ‘Twisters’ was our latest movie appealing to all demographics.”

As a film enthusiast, I can tell you from personal experience that “Twisters” was a real treat to watch on 4DX screens. The immersive presentation in these theaters takes moviegoing to a whole new level. Cinema operators are often heard saying that the theatrical experience cannot be matched at home, and they’re right – it truly can’t be replicated. In 4DX auditoriums, seats have been designed to move, vibrate, and even spray water in perfect synchronization with what’s happening on screen. For those of us who want to feel the raw power of a tornado without actually stepping outside, 4DX is the closest we can get. The initial sales for “Twisters” in 4DX were impressive, raking in approximately $2.1 million during its opening weekend. This figure surpassed the previous record holder, “Super Mario Bros. Movie” from 2023, by a significant margin of about $530,000.

“According to Eduardo Acuna, CEO of Regal Cinemas with approximately 80 4DX theaters, no film is more suitable for this innovative format. It’s an experience akin to being on a thrilling theme park ride. You become deeply engrossed in the movie, experiencing both emotional and physical sensations.”

After a disappointing beginning to summer at the box office, the new disaster movie is surprising audiences and drawing them back to theaters, surpassing expectations following releases like “Inside Out 2” from Pixar, “Despicable Me 4” from Universal and Illumination, Paramount’s prequel “A Quiet Place: Day One,” and Neon’s horror sensation “Longlegs.” These films helped reduce the year-to-date deficit from 21% to 17%, according to Comscore. Exhibitors are hopeful that this trend will continue with the arrival of Marvel’s “Deadpool & Wolverine” starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, which is projected to have one of the top openings in 2024.

“According to Hastings, we’re optimistic that this weekend will be our busiest yet,” he shared. “We’ll need to carefully decide how many theaters to assign to ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ and ‘Twisters.’ It’s a desirable challenge to face.”

2024-07-22 18:48

‘Twisters’ Box Office: How 4DX Screenings and Midwestern Moviegoers Propelled the Sequel to Blockbuster Status

Read More

Minority Mindset