Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest cinematic offering, One Battle After Another, has stormed into theaters with a commanding $2.5 million from Thursday previews, signaling a strong start for the critically acclaimed drama. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, the film is already drawing comparisons to the actor’s previous box office hits, including Killers of the Flower Moon and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
The preview haul places One Battle After Another just shy of Killers of the Flower Moon’s $2.6 million opening, and well below the $5.8 million preview performance of Tarantino’s Hollywood. However, industry insiders suggest that Anderson’s film may have longer legs, buoyed by glowing reviews and robust advance ticket sales in major cities.
Critics have lavished praise on the film, which currently holds a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an audience score of 88%—surpassing several of DiCaprio’s recent projects. JoBlo’s editor-in-chief called it “a full cinematic meal,” adding, “It’s the only movie I’ve seen in a long time where, if I’d been offered the chance to watch it again immediately after it ended, I would have said yes without hesitation.”
Warner Bros. is banking on the film’s momentum to carry it through a competitive fall season. With a production budget reportedly between $130 million and $140 million, One Battle After Another is projected to earn in the low $20 million range domestically during its opening weekend.
The film’s success could mark a turning point for original theatrical dramas in the streaming era, especially as Warner Bros. opted out of the fall festival circuit, choosing instead to launch the film directly into wide release. If early audience enthusiasm holds, Anderson’s latest may prove to be both a critical and commercial triumph.
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