Longlegs Box Office: The Nicolas Cage starrer collects $3 million in previews, surpasses Sydney Sweeney’s Immaculate

"Longlegs" is poised to outperform this weekend's other major release, Apple’s "Fly Me to the Moon."

Neon’s indie horror sensation "Longlegs" is captivating the horror enthusiast community, receiving rave reviews and generating substantial buzz. Starring the iconic Nicolas Cage as a menacing serial killer and the formidable scream queen Maika Monroe as an FBI agent, the film has made a significant impact at the box office. On Thursday, "Longlegs" raked in $3 million from previews, marking the highest preview earnings ever for Neon, a milestone achievement for the indie distributor.

Also read: Longlegs review: Death comes calling in this nightmarish yet dragged modern Silence of the Lambs

Directed by Osgood Perkins, "Longlegs" is on the verge of setting a new benchmark for the best opening weekend in Neon's history. This record was previously held by Sydney Sweeney’s "Immaculate," a nun-themed horror flick that debuted earlier this year. "Immaculate" earned $5.3 million during its opening weekend after making less than $1 million in Thursday previews. Initial projections for "Longlegs" estimated an opening in the high single-digit millions, but revised forecasts now suggest the film could earn between $20 million and $23 million, surpassing all expectations.

"Longlegs" is poised to outperform this weekend's other major release, Apple’s "Fly Me to the Moon." This romantic comedy, distributed by Sony, features Channing Tatum and Scarlett Johansson and is set against the backdrop of the 1960s Space Race. Despite making $875,000 in its Thursday previews and expecting to open around $12 million, "Fly Me to the Moon" pales in comparison to "Longlegs." While $12 million is a respectable figure for an original summer movie targeted at adult audiences, the film's $100 million production budget makes the return seem modest. However, Apple’s strategy with theatrical releases, as demonstrated with titles like "Killers of the Flower Moon," "Napoleon," and "Argylle," indicates that the tech giant is less focused on box office revenue compared to traditional studios.

Also read: Nicolas Cage is so terrifying in Longlegs he made co-star Maika Monroe’s heart rate spike to 170 BPM

The success of "Longlegs" not only highlights the continued popularity and profitability of the horror genre but also underscores Neon’s ability to market and distribute indie films effectively. The impressive performance of "Longlegs" is a testament to the film's compelling storytelling and strong performances, particularly by Cage and Monroe, and sets a new standard for indie horror films in the industry. As "Longlegs" continues to draw audiences and critical acclaim, it solidifies its place as a standout release in 2024.