Longlegs is currently setting new box office records, while Fly Me to the Moon is encountering certain challenges. Longlegs, a gripping horror movie, showcases the exceptional talents of Maika Monroe and Nicolas Cage. The intense plot follows an FBI agent's relentless pursuit of a deeply unsettling serial killer. Conversely, Fly Me to the Moon, a charming romantic comedy directed by the esteemed Greg Berlanti, brings together the magnetic performances of Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum. Set against the exhilarating backdrop of the Space Race, this delightful film explores the intricacies of love and relationships among NASA employees.
The anticipated leading movies at the domestic box office this weekend are projected to be Despicable Me 4 and Inside Out 2. NEON has a potential opportunity for a highly successful opening weekend with the release of Longlegs, which could potentially mark their best performance to date. Conversely, the debut of Fly Me to the Moon is expected to be underwhelming due to its substantial budget of $100 million, in contrast to projected earnings of merely $10 million.
Both new releases are original stories directed by highly esteemed filmmakers. Their contrasting outcomes can be attributed to a variety of factors. The success of the new horror film can potentially be attributed to its stellar cast, particularly the inclusion of the renowned Nicolas Cage. Cage's remarkable performances in genre-defying films such as Mandy, Pig, and Dream Scenario have garnered significant acclaim, establishing a strong connection with fans. It is worth noting, however, that Cage's inclusion was unable to salvage his earlier horror-comedy Renfield, which was poorly received in 2023. In addition to Cage's presence, this new release has also received positive reviews from the esteemed Longlegs critics, resulting in an impressive Certified Fresh rating of 87% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The romantic comedy competitor, headed by highly seasoned individuals from the A-list, achieved a commendable score of 67%. Nevertheless, this outcome should not be interpreted as unfavorable for Fly Me to the Moon. It is well known that romantic comedies can still thrive despite lackluster initial performances. This fact was exemplified by the remarkable success of the 2022 film titled Anyone But You, which garnered a modest opening of $6 million but ultimately amassed an impressive total of $220.1 million in earnings.
Fly Me to the Moon may encounter a challenge similar to that faced by recent blockbuster films from Apple Studios. The profitability of movies usually requires them to generate double their budget, thus potentially impeding the likelihood of Fly Me to the Moon reaching a break-even point. Regrettably, past Apple productions such as Argylle, Killers of the Flower Moon, and Napoleon were unsuccessful in achieving profitability. In contrast, the more modest budget of Longlegs suggests it is nearing its break-even threshold.
