Over the weekend, Magnolia Pictures launched its largest-ever release with the comedy-drama “Thelma,” debuting in 1,290 theaters across the United States, despite expectations for such indie films typically being modest, “Thelma” surprised by entering the top 10 of the domestic box office.
This accomplishment is notable considering its competition, including “The Exorcism,” which earned just $200,000 more despite showing in over 1,000 additional locations. This success contrasts with the conventional wisdom that horror films generally outperform indie dramas, especially ones featuring lead actors such as the 94-year-old June Squibb, in her first starring role after a distinguished career that began on Broadway over six decades ago.
“Thelma” garnered $2.2 million in its opening weekend, securing the eighth spot on the box office chart, slightly behind “The Exorcism,” which earned $2.4 million.
Impressively, “Thelma” achieved a per-theater average of $1,700, surpassing other holdovers like “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” “IF,” and “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.” The weekend’s top earner was Disney-Pixar’s “Inside Out 2,” setting a record with $100 million in its second weekend.
Released amidst the peak summer season, “Thelma” represents counter-programming against blockbuster fare. This strategy mirrors Searchlight Pictures’ successful debut of “Yorgos Lanthimos’ Kinds of Kindness,” which achieved a record-breaking per-theater average of $70,000 in just five locations.
Directed by Josh Margolin, “Thelma” tells the story of its titular character’s quest to reclaim $10,000 she was scammed out of while assisting her grandson. The film has garnered universal acclaim, holding a near-perfect 99% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics, such as Collider’s Ross Bonaime, praise its respectful portrayal of older characters and their evolving life perspectives.
“Thelma” found particular appeal among younger audiences during its opening, with expectations of sustained interest from older demographics in subsequent weeks. This success echoes recent achievements by other indie distributors like IFC Films and A24 with their respective wide releases earlier this year.
Featuring a notable ensemble cast including Fred Hechinger, Richard Roundtree in his final role, Clark Gregg, and Parker Posey, “Thelma” aims to surpass the $10 million mark in its theatrical run, a milestone to watch closely according to industry updates from Collider.
