A yr in the past, what had been the percentages that the top-grossing movie out of Sundance 2024 could be one starring and govt produced by 93-year-old June Squibb?
Magnolia acquired Josh Margolin’s characteristic debut “Thelma” proper on the finish of the competition — one of some acquisitions that closed throughout its run. Launched in June, it’s grossed $9.1 million within the U.S./Canada. That makes it, for now, the highest hit out of the 2024.
Why the “for now”? Steven Soderbergh’s “Presence,” a $5 million Neon acquisition additionally out of the Sundance 2024 Premiere part, debuts in vast launch Friday. Though thought to be a distinct segment title, it may cross $9 million. (Additionally quickly to return is “Love Me” with Kristin Stewart, set for January 31.)
“A Actual Ache,” which Searchlight purchased for worldwide launch for $10 million out of the U.S. Dramatic part, stands at a $8.1 million home since its launch November 1. Disney stopped reporting its grosses final weekend, suggesting it has topped out. (It has been accessible for dwelling viewing for a number of weeks and added Hulu streaming final Friday.) However with Kieran Culkin as an Oscar Supporting Actor favourite, it may return to theaters and greatest “Thelma.”
Between these two titles is the Midnight section-premiere “Love Lies Bleeding” (A24), with an $8.3 million gross. With worldwide grosses, the Kristen Stewart-starring crime drama-love story barely edges the opposite two with $12.8 million.
Field workplace is rarely the only real measure of success for competition debuts, which elevate gifted new filmmakers and assist revitalize the specialised theatrical market. Nevertheless, Sundance 2024 field workplace displays a serious drop from the yr prior, which noticed a $100 million complete. In 2024, the full is $57 million (“Presence” and “Love Me” however). These figures don’t replicate the unreported post-theatrical revenues (VOD leases, streaming gross sales), which may present a big carry to low-budget titles.
Of the $100 million in 2023, half got here from Australian horror movie “Discuss to Me,” acquired by A24. In 2024, about half of the $57 million got here from “Thelma,” “A Actual Ache,” and “Love Lies Bleeding.” The opposite $26 million was unfold throughout 40-50 titles.
That doesn’t sound good, however one other issue should be thought of: At Sundance, the largest buys and a few of its shiniest films went to streaming, the place field workplace is n/a.
Netflix had the 2 most costly acquisitions. Richard Linklater’s “Hit Man” confirmed at Sundance after it purchased the movie for $20 million at Toronto 2023; it made a splash on the streamer. Netflix additionally spent $17 million on Sundance 2024 acquisition title “It’s What Inside” out of the Midnight part; it peaked at #5 on Netflix U.S. high 10 film chart.
In surveying 2024’s full lineup, most movies discovered some type of distribution. Embrace the 2 upcoming releases and it seems at the very least 14 movies may have home grosses over $1 million. That’s three greater than the earlier yr.
No less than eight titles ought to cross $4 million, once more a rise. These embody “My Outdated Ass” (Amazon MGM, acquired for $15 million, gross $5.2 million), “I Noticed the TV Glow” (A24, $5.0 million), “Didi” (Focus, $4.8 million), and “In a Violent Nature” (IFC, $4.2 million). Two others reached $2 million or slightly extra — “American Society of Magical Negroes” (Focus) and “Between the Temples” (Sony Footage Classics).
Within the $1 million-$2 million vary are three movies with disappointing outcomes — “The Outrun” and “Kneecap” (Sony Footage Classics, the latter doubtlessly with revived possibilities if it scores an Oscar Worldwide Movie nomination) and “Sasquatch Warrior” (Bleecker Road).
No documentaries seem amongst these, though two very costly acquisitions — “Tremendous/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” (Warner Bros. Discovery, $15 million) and “Will & Harper” (Netflix, $10 million) — had some theatrical play, the previous considerably through Fathom Occasions, however grosses weren’t reported.
Some high distributors launched movies that fell wanting $1 million. These embody “Stress Positions,” “In search of Mavis Beacon,” and “Dealing with the Undead (Neon), “Exhibiting Forgiveness” (Roadside Points of interest), and most importantly “A Completely different Man” (A24, this regardless of widespread acclaim and vital distributor assist),
Within the post-streaming world, it’s unlikely that Sundance will return to its culturally dominant heyday even because it warrants elevated curiosity from acquisition executives. That stated: Final yr’s U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize winner “Within the Summers” wasn’t acquired (by Music Field Movies) till June. Its reported gross was beneath $100,000.