5 Million in Opening Weekend"

In a groundbreaking opening weekend, the much-anticipated disaster film "Twisters" has whipped up a storm at the box office, collecting a staggering $80.5 million from 4,151 North American theaters. Directed by Lee Isaac Chung, the movie serves as a captivating standalone sequel to the 1996 blockbuster "Twister."

With initial projections set at $50 million to $55 million, "Twisters" exceeded expectations, clinching the title of the third biggest opening weekend of the year, trailing behind "Inside Out 2" and "Dune: Part Two," which garnered $154 million and $82 million, respectively. The film's success surpassed the recent "Godzilla x Kong" opening weekend, which accumulated $80 million.

Featuring a talented cast including Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, and Anthony Ramos, "Twisters" follows the adrenaline-fueled journey of storm chasers in central Oklahoma as they battle multiple tornadoes converging over the region. The gripping storyline, as well as excellent performances, have resonated with audiences, resulting in a cinema satisfaction rating of "A-" on CinemaScore.

Several factors have contributed to the overwhelming ticket sales of "Twisters." Firstly, the nostalgia factor played a significant role, as fans of the original film, released 28 years earlier, were eager to revisit the thrilling world of storm chasing. Additionally, the rising popularity and bankability of stars Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones, known for their roles in "Top Gun: Maverick" and Hulu's "Normal People" respectively, have attracted a wide audience base.

David A. Gross, an expert from the movie consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research, described "Twisters" as "perfect summer entertainment," applauding the larger-than-life spectacle and outstanding special effects. The film's production budget amounted to $155 million, excluding marketing expenses. Universal Pictures backed the project and handled domestic distribution, while Warner Bros. secured international rights.

Although drawing comparisons to the previous year is challenging due to the "Barbenheimer" fever that gripped audiences, the current box office performance has seen a positive shift. After a slow start to the summer season, the industry has finally gained momentum. Overachieving tentpole releases like "Inside Out 2," "Despicable Me 4," and "A Quiet Place: Day One" have contributed to shrinking the year-to-date deficit from 21% to 17%, according to Comscore.

Paul Dergarabedian, a senior analyst at Comscore, recognized the exceptional turnaround that the film industry and theaters have experienced, stating, "A summer season that started off inauspiciously with a series of less than stellar box office performances has been turbocharged with a cavalcade of hits." The resurgence in June and July has paved the way for a successful summer season.

"Twisters" continues to captivate audiences and dominate the box office, proving that its powerful storyline, stellar cast, and mind-blowing visual effects have struck a chord with moviegoers. As the film continues its meteoric rise, industry insiders eagerly anticipate the impact it will continue to make in the coming weeks.