Several independent and specialty films found major success at the box office this past weekend. Focus Features’ new thriller “Conclave” took the third spot with $6.5 million earned. The film about secrets inside the Vatican attracted many older moviegoers, who made up 44% of its audience. In total, 77% of people who saw “Conclave” were 35 or older.
The director of “Conclave” is Edward Berger, who previously won an Oscar for “All Quiet on the Western Front.” It stars well-known actors like Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini. Focus Features distribution head Lisa Bunnell said older crowds are more likely to return to theaters if studios offer films that appeal to their interests. She said Focus Features aims to provide diverse movies for all types of viewers.
Other independent films found box office success too. Neon’s Cannes award winner “Anora” took in $867,000 in its second weekend showing in 34 theaters. A24 released “We Live in Time,” a sci-fi film starring Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh, which earned $4.8 million to come in fifth place overall. Its total earnings so far are $11.7 million. Focus Features also landed another movie in the top ten with their animated film “Piece By Piece” bringing in $8.8 million over five weeks.
For new releases, the musical horror film “Your Monster” opened to $515,000 across 651 screens. In limited release, IFC Films saw early promise for their animated movie “Memoir of a Snail” with $69,000 earned from only five theaters. The successes show audience interest in unique stories from different genres. As movie theaters work to recover from the pandemic’s effects, these independent films point to potential shifts in who goes to the movies and what draws them in.
