In a surprising turn of events, the 1979 sci-fi horror classic “Alien” has made a comeback to the box office charts in its 45th anniversary re-release. The film, directed by Ridley Scott and written by Dan O’Bannon, has garnered critical acclaim and remains a highly influential work in the realms of sci-fi and horror. With a budget of just over $10 million, “Alien” has generated close to $200 million in revenue and continues to be a fan favorite.
The re-release of “Alien” comes ahead of the highly anticipated sequel, “Alien: Romulus,” which aims to capture the essence of the original film with practical effects and a contained approach. Set between the events of the first “Alien” and its sequel “Aliens,” the new film is expected to reignite the franchise’s success and captivate audiences once again.
In the box office charts, “Alien” secured the #10 position on Friday with approximately $600,000 in receipts, trailing behind other popular films such as “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” and “Dune: Part Two.” The latter is expected to hit around $2 million for the weekend, boosted by a return to IMAX screens and the star power of actors Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya.
As for other top performers, Zendaya’s sports-romance drama “Challengers” conquered the #1 spot on Friday with $6.2 million, while newcomers like “Unsung Hero,” “Civil War,” and “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” rounded out the top spots. The weekend also saw the release of “Boy Kills World,” a violent action-comedy film produced by Sam Raimi and Roy Lee, with an estimated $2 million start.
The summer movie season is set to kick off with upcoming releases such as “The Fall Guy” and “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” following a string of re-releases like “Alien” in hopes of drawing audiences back to the theaters. The resurgence of horror films at the box office, with multiple entries dominating the top charts, suggests a growing interest in escapism and genre storytelling during these tumultuous times.
Overall, the return of “Alien” to the box office highlights the enduring appeal of the iconic film and its ability to captivate audiences across generations. As the summer season unfolds, it will be interesting to see how other re-releases and new releases fare at the box office, as audiences seek entertainment and solace in the world of cinema.
