Box Office Struggles in 2024 Despite Dune Part 2’s Reign
It’s been two months since “Dune Part 2” stormed the box office, raking in $711 million worldwide and maintaining its position as the year’s top movie. While this achievement is commendable for director Denis Villeneuve and his team, Villeneuve recently shared his disappointment over the film’s prolonged hold on the number one spot, highlighting broader concerns about the global box office landscape.
Recent reports from Deadline indicate that the 2024 domestic box office is down by 66% compared to the previous year. Anticipated blockbusters like “Mad Max: Furiosa” and “The Fall Guy” failed to meet expectations, with “Furiosa” narrowly surpassing “The Garfield Movie” in its opening weekend, earning $25 million and $24 million, respectively. The Memorial Day weekend turnout was particularly underwhelming, and the second weekend hasn’t shown signs of significant improvement. No film has come close to challenging “Dune Part 2’s” impressive $711 million gross, with “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” trailing in second place at $567 million.
Several factors contribute to the low box office numbers. The 2023 Writers Strike and Actors Strike significantly affected the slate of movies hitting theaters in 2024, with many releases relying heavily on established intellectual properties to draw audiences. Additionally, the rise of streaming services has led many viewers to opt for home viewing over cinema visits. Nowadays, a movie needs to be an event to attract cinema-goers, and so far, only “Dune Part 2” has generated that level of excitement.
Denis Villeneuve, while honored by the reception of “Dune Part 2,” expressed concerns about its dominance reflecting poorly on the overall health of theatrical releases. Speaking at the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards, Villeneuve acknowledged the love for his film but lamented the broader implications for the industry.
I’m disappointed to still be number one. … I hope soon that there will be other successes at the box office. I hope, sooner or later, that this summer box office will be much better.
Despite a lackluster summer box office, hope remains for a turnaround. The anticipated release of “Deadpool and Wolverine,” the only MCU film slated for this year, is expected to perform exceptionally well given the strong fan base. Other upcoming films like “Twisters,” “Inside Out 2,” “A Quiet Place: Day One,” and “Alien: Romulus” also aim to rejuvenate the summer box office.
Villeneuve’s comments underscore the importance of robust box office performance for the sustainability of theatrical experiences. He emphasized the need for diverse films to succeed, not just blockbusters. A noteworthy example is Alex Garland’s “Civil War,” which grossed $113 million worldwide on a $50 million budget, setting records for A24 and demonstrating that mid-budget films can still thrive.
I think we need movies that are theatrical experiences, that will fully embrace the power of the theatre, and I’m not just talking about Dune 2. Of course I’m talking about many movies. A movie like Civil War, for instance, is a strong example of a movie that absolutely used the power of the theatre. I was lucky that Part 2 did reach the audience, I wish it would happen more often, honestly.
While 2024 might not be the year of blockbuster dominance, it could signal a shift towards a more varied cinematic landscape. Villeneuve’s acknowledgment of the success of films like “Civil War” suggests a potential silver lining for mid-budget theatrical releases. However, the sheer dominance of “Dune Part 2” raises important questions about which franchises and films will remain profitable for studios moving forward.