Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch did what a glum arthouse market was waiting for, revved it up with a smashing three-day average. “If Wes builds it, they will come,” said an elated Searchlight Pictures after a two year wait to get the film into theaters.
It opened in 14 markets and in a total of 52 theatres. Over the 3-day weekend, the film is estimated to gross $1.3 million for per screen average of at least $25K, which marks the highest of any film opening during the pandemic — topping even the most successful commercial products over the last 18 months and easily grabbing the specialty crown.
Searchlight Pictures’ SVP-General Sales Manager Frank Rodriguez called film “a jolt of electricity” for the specialty box office. These figures show that after a year and a half, arthouse and independent theaters have a superhero of their own in Wes Anderson.” He said a crossover into mainstream theaters has been “doubly encouraging” for the director’s tenth picture.
The Angelika in Downtown Manhattan was the highest grossing theatre in North America this weekend as the theatre will approach the $100K mark for its 3-day estimate, followed by The Grove in Los Angeles, the BAM in Brooklyn, which is the 4th highest grossing theatre this weekend, Alamo Brooklyn, AMC Lincoln Square in New York and the Landmark West L.A.
By market, highlights included Portland where Cinema 21, among other venues across the country, demonstrates a burgeoning and latent demand for specialized releases. Canada also saw an incredible turnout, particularly in the Varsity in Toronto and the Park in Vancouver. A full 83% of the audience considered themselves fans of Wes Anderson, higher than any number seen for The Grand Budapest Hotel and Isle of Dogs polling.
It will expand to over 600 theatres and over 60 markets, adding more theaters weekend of November 5th.
It premiered at Cannes with U.S. premieres at Telluride and The New York Film Festival, as well as the London Film Festival. Anderson and the French cast and crew will attend a premiere in Paris tonight – and all in all the film will screen in over 25 festivals.
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