The latest installment in the iconic Alien film series is off to a strong start. Alien: Romulus directed by Fede Álvarez earned $108.2 million globally during its debut weekend according to studio estimates. Domestically, the film took in $41.5 million, making it the number one movie at the North American box office. Internationally, Alien: Romulus pulled in $66.7 million from 49 overseas markets.
One factor contributing to its worldwide success was a solid opening in China where it grossed over $20 million. The film also performed well in other Asian and European countries. Alien: Romulus serves as a sequel that fits chronologically between the 1979 original Alien directed by Ridley Scott and James Cameron’s 1986 follow-up Aliens.
Produced by 20th Century Studios and distributed by Disney, Alien: Romulus stars a fresh cast including Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, and Isabela Merced. They lead the action in this thriller set in deep space. Critics and early audiences have given it mostly positive reviews with an 81% rating on review website Rotten Tomatoes. While some felt the middle dragged with too many callbacks to past films, most agreed Fede Álvarez brought the franchise back to its horror roots.
The strong debut helps reinvigorate a series that has seen ups and downs. The most recent entry, 2017’s Alien: Covenant directed by Ridley Scott, earned nearly $240 million globally but underperformed expectations. This left questions about the Alien franchise’s future. However, the $108.2 million opening of Romulus suggests renewed interest. If it continues performing well it could lead to additional movies.
This August has already seen other box office hits like Deadpool & Wolverine and It Ends With Us. Alien: Romulus’ first place start contributes to an overall rebound in summer ticket sales compared to last year and 2019 prior to the pandemic. With its appealing blend of new stars and classic elements, Romulus seems to be satisfying longtime fans while also attracting new viewers, ensuring the Alien series remains an evolving part of cinema.
