Title: A24's "Civil War" Shatters Opening Weekend Records with $25.7M Domestic Gross

A24's highly anticipated thriller, "Civil War," directed by Alex Garland, has made a triumphant debut at the box office, becoming the company's biggest opening weekend ever. The film grossed an impressive $25.7 million domestically, surpassing A24's previous record holders.

With 16.5% of its domestic total coming from 400 IMAX screens, "Civil War" also recorded a global IMAX total of $5 million on 530 screens. This international number is expected to increase further when the film opens in several countries next weekend, including France, Germany, India, Mexico, Brazil, Switzerland, and Scandinavia.

The success of "Civil War" marks a significant milestone for A24, known for its unconventional and critically acclaimed films. The studio typically employs a slow-and-steady strategy, relying on word of mouth and critical acclaim to build momentum for its releases. Previous hits include "Everything Everywhere All At Once," which grossed $77.1 million, and "Uncut Gems," which earned $50 million domestically.

Despite being the most expensive film in A24's history, with a reported production cost of $50 million, "Civil War" seems poised to surpass "Everything Everywhere All At Once" as the studio's highest-grossing domestic film in the coming weeks.

For director Alex Garland, "Civil War" also marks a career milestone, with the film becoming his highest opener to date. His previous works, such as "Annihilation" and "Men," were mostly distributed by A24. Known for his social science fiction with dystopian twists, Garland has captivated audiences with his unique storytelling style. His next project, a co-directed military drama titled "Warfare," is set to commence filming next month.

Meanwhile, "Sting," an indie horror flick with an arachnid theme, managed to crawl its way into the top ten at number ten, grossing $1.2 million on 1,350 screens. While the film garnered mixed reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 70% critical rating and 71% audience score, it is unlikely to climb any higher in the box office rankings.

With "Civil War" smashing records and A24 continuing to push boundaries in the world of independent cinema, it appears that both the studio and director Alex Garland have secured their positions as forces to be reckoned with in the film industry.