Box Office Buzz: Dog Man and Companion Set the Stage for a Thrilling Weekend
The box office is heating up this weekend with two highly anticipated releases: universal/DreamWorks Animation’s Dog Man and New Line’s R-rated horror flick Companion. Both films are generating significant buzz, with Dog Man poised to dominate the family-kind market and Companion carving out a niche among horror enthusiasts.
Dog Man: A Strong Start for the Animated Adventure
Universal/DreamWorks Animation’s Dog Man, based on Dav Pilkey’s wildly popular juvenile book series, is off to a roaring start. The film raked in $1.36 million in previews,a figure that compares favorably to other DreamWorks hits like The Bad Guys ($1.15M) and Trolls Band Together ($1.3M), which opened to $23.9M and $30M, respectively.
Quorum reports that Dog Man has been steadily gaining momentum. “Two weeks ago, it was tracking behind Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie, which opened to $23M. Today, awareness and unaided awareness are much higher than Paw. Could Dog reach $30M? It certainly seems possible,” the report states.
Parents and kids alike are flocking to theaters, with the film earning 4.5 stars in Screen Engine/Comscore PostTrak exits. Booked at 3,885 theaters, Dog Man is already 77% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, signaling a warm reception from critics.
Companion: A Sleeper Hit in the Making
On the other end of the spectrum,New Line’s companion is making waves in the horror genre. Directed by Drew Hancock and produced by BoulderLight Pictures, this femme bot thriller has earned a stellar 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 95% certified fresh rating from critics.
Despite its strong reception, Companion is projected to open in the $8M-$11M range. Thursday previews brought in $1.1M, with the total rising to $1.7M when including Monday mystery screenings. Quorum notes,“Three weeks ago,just before Warner Bros. kicked the campaign into high gear with a trailer and poster, Companion was tracking to open below $5M. Since then, awareness has tripled, and interest has climbed ten points.”
comparatively, Companion’s preview numbers align with other recent horror hits like Violent Night ($1.1M previews,$13.4M opening) and Wolf Man ($1.4M previews, $10.8M opening).
The Rest of the Box Office Lineup
While Dog Man and Companion are stealing the spotlight, other films continue to perform steadily:
| Film | Theaters | Thursday Earnings | Weekly Total | Overall Total |
|————————-|————–|————————|——————|——————-|
| Flight Risk (LG) | 3,161 | $767K (-48%) | $14.6M | N/A |
| One of Them Days (Sony)| 2,675 | $743K (-39%) | $10.68M | $27.8M |
| Mufasa (Dis) | 3,420 | $605K (-30%) | $10.5M | $222.9M |
| sonic the hedgehog 3 (Par)| 3,097 | $367K (-36%) | $6.4M | $227M |
| Moana 2 (Dis) | 2,550 | $287K (-26%) | $5.1M | $450.8M |
What’s Next?
As Dog Man and Companion continue their theatrical runs, all eyes are on their weekend performance. Will Dog Man surpass expectations and hit the $30M mark? Can Companion defy projections and become the next breakout horror hit? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: this weekend’s box office is shaping up to be one of the most exciting of the year.
Stay tuned for updates and make sure to catch these films in theaters while you can!
Box Office Showdown: Dog Man and Companion Set the Stage for a Thrilling Weekend
This weekend, the box office is ablaze with two highly anticipated releases: Worldwide/DreamWorks animation’s Dog Man and New Line’s R-rated horror film Companion. While Dog Man is captivating families with its animated charm, Companion is terrifying horror fans with its gripping narrative. To dive deeper into the buzz surrounding these films, we sat down with film critic and industry expert, Dr. Emily Carter, to discuss their potential impact on the box office.
Dog man: A strong Start for the Animated Adventure
Senior Editor: Dr. Carter, Dog Man has already earned $1.36 million in previews, outperforming DreamWorks hits like The Bad Guys and Trolls Band Together. What’s driving this early success?
Dr. Emily Carter: The film’s success can be attributed to the massive popularity of Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man book series, which has a loyal fan base among children and parents alike. Families are eager to see their favorite characters come to life on the big screen. Additionally,the marketing campaign has been spot-on,creating notable awareness and excitement. The positive reviews, including a 77% Rotten Tomatoes rating, have further fueled interest.
Senior Editor: Quorum reports that awareness for Dog Man has surpassed Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie. Do you think it has the potential to reach $30 million in its opening weekend?
Dr. Emily Carter: Absolutely. The film is tracking exceptionally well, and early ticket sales indicate strong demand.Given the favorable comparisons to previous DreamWorks hits and the overwhelmingly positive audience reactions, I wouldn’t be surprised if it crosses the $30 million mark. It’s a perfect storm of nostalgia, strong storytelling, and broad appeal.
Companion: A Sleeper Hit in the Making
Senior Editor: turning to Companion, this R-rated horror film has earned a 94% audience score and a 95% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. why do you think it’s resonating so strongly with audiences?
Dr. Emily Carter: Companion is tapping into a growing appetite for psychological horror with a unique twist. The film’s premise—a femme bot thriller—is both fresh and unsettling, which has clearly struck a chord with horror enthusiasts. The marketing campaign, which was reignited with a well-received trailer and poster, has also played a crucial role in building anticipation. It’s a classic example of a film finding its niche and executing it brilliantly.
Senior Editor: Despite the strong reception, projections suggest an $8M-$11M opening. Do you think it can exceed expectations like other recent horror hits?
Dr. Emily Carter: It’s certainly possible. Horror films frequently enough defy projections, especially when they generate this level of buzz. Films like Violent Night and Wolf Man started with similar preview numbers and went on to perform well above expectations. If Companion maintains its momentum, it could very well become the breakout hit of the season.
The Rest of the Box Office Lineup
Senior Editor: Beyond Dog Man and Companion, films like Flight Risk and Moana 2 are still holding steady. What’s your take on the overall box office landscape this weekend?
Dr.Emily Carter: It’s a crowded but exciting lineup. While Dog Man and Companion are the headliners, films like Moana 2 and Flight Risk are benefiting from sustained interest. Families are flocking to moana 2 for its beloved characters and catchy music, while Flight Risk is appealing to action enthusiasts. This diversity is a testament to the variety of films available, catering to different audiences simultaneously.
What’s Next?
Senior Editor: As the weekend progresses, what shoudl we be watching for in Dog Man and Companion’s performance?
Dr. Emily Carter: For Dog Man, the key will be whether it can sustain its momentum and cross the $30 million threshold. As for companion, I’ll be watching to see if it can defy projections and become the sleeper hit of the year. Both films have the potential to make significant waves, and this weekend could set the tone for their theatrical runs.
Senior Editor: thank you, Dr. Carter, for your insightful analysis. It’s clear that this weekend’s box office is shaping up to be one of the most exciting of the year.
Dr. Emily Carter: My pleasure! It’s always thrilling to see such diverse films capturing the audience’s imagination.
Conclusion
This weekend’s box office is a testament to the power of storytelling across genres. Whether it’s the family-friendly charm of Dog Man or the chilling thrills of Companion, audiences have plenty to be excited about. As we await the final numbers, one thing is certain: cinema is alive and thriving.
