"Longlegs," a chilling blend of occult and mystery in the realm of horror, startled the industry by raking in an impressive $22.6 million on its opening weekend. This marked a remarkable triumph over "Fly Me to the Moon," a lavish $100 million romantic comedy featuring Hollywood's brightest stars. The film owes its success to glowing reviews and a haunting portrayal by Nicolas Cage.
Also read: Longlegs review: Death comes calling in this nightmarish yet dragged modern Silence of the Lambs
Neon, the indie distributor behind "Longlegs," orchestrated a masterful marketing campaign reminiscent of '90s nostalgia. They crafted a viral website detailing the heinous crimes of the antagonist and provided a hotline where callers could hear eerie messages from Cage himself. This strategy harkened back to the playbook of cult classics like "The Blair Witch Project" and "Snakes on a Plane," revolutionising buzz-building in the industry.
Directed by Osgood Perkins and starring Maika Monroe of "It Follows" fame, "Longlegs" not only broke records but also elevated the profiles of its creators. Produced on a modest budget of under $10 million, with a marketing spend to match, the film's profitability is a testament to its compelling narrative and strategic promotion.
Despite "Longlegs" stealing headlines, the box office throne remained with "Despicable Me 4," maintaining its reign over the Fourth of July weekend with a hefty $44.6 million in its second week. Universal and Illumination's animated juggernaut pushed its domestic earnings to $211.1 million, solidifying plans for the upcoming spinoff, "Minions 3," set to debut in 2027. With the "Despicable Me" series surpassing $5 billion globally, it stands as a milestone in animated franchise history.
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