Charli XCX’s ‘The Moment’ Shatters Limited Release Records, Indie Films Show Strength
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A24’s Charli XCX-centered mockumentary, The Moment, has delivered a stunning debut, signaling continued strength for independent cinema and the power of dedicated fanbases. The film grossed nearly $428,000 on just four screens, averaging $107,000 per theater – the third-highest limited opening as the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A24 Dominates with ‘The moment’
The success of The Moment places it among A24’s most impressive limited releases, rivaling the debuts of Marty Supreme and Asteroid City. It also ranks among the top three limited releases in A24’s history, alongside films like Everything Everywhere All at Once and Minari. Charli XCX also serves as a producer.The ensemble cast boasts a star-studded lineup including Alexander Skarsgård, Kylie Jenner, Rosanna Arquette, kate Berlant, Jamie Demetriou, and Rachel Sennott. According to a company release,The Moment achieved the fastest presales of any A24 limited release,and will expand to a limited nationwide footprint next weekend.
Diverse Indie Films Find Audiences
Beyond The Moment, a range of independent films demonstrated box office resilience this week. Neon’s animated, Oscar-nominated Arco by Ugo Bienvenu earned $411,000 on 302 screens in its second week, bringing its cumulative gross to $517,000.
Well Go USA debuted the Chinese/Hong Kong action-adventure comedy Back To The Past at 50 theaters, generating $196,000, as reported by Comscore.
Smaller, critically acclaimed films also found dedicated audiences. A Poet from 1-2 Special, the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize-winning film by Simón Mesa Soto, is projected to debut with $27.6,000 at two locations – the IFC Center in New York and Laemmle Royal in Los Angeles. The film sold out multiple screenings, including Q&A sessions, at the IFC Center and will expand to additional markets, including Miami, Atlanta, Boston, and Philadelphia, as well as Canada, next weekend.
Janus Films’ The Love That Remains, directed by Hlynur Pàlmason, opened to $27,200 on two screens in New York, with sold-out Q&A sessions featuring the filmmaker at Film at Lincoln Center and IFC Center. The film will add Los Angeles next week and expand regionally around Valentine’s day.
documentaries Spark conversation
Documentaries also demonstrated strong performance. Oscilloscope’s Natchez, directed by Suzannah Herbert, opened at the Film Forum in NYC to $17,000, reaching a cumulative gross of $29,000 (including a prior Academy qualifying run). The film, which explores the complex history of a Mississippi town, will expand to select markets on February 6 and nationally throughout Black History Month, with planned in-person appearances by the director. “We love what Suzannah has accomplished here and are proud to champion this film and to witness continued audience engagement and the spirited discussions it inspires,” a distributor stated.
Return to Silent Hill grossed $980,800 on 1,608 screens in its second week, bringing its total to $5.1 million, with distribution handled by Cineverse in the US and VVS Films in Canada.
These results collectively demonstrate a vibrant and diverse independent film landscape, capable of attracting audiences with compelling stories and innovative approaches to distribution.
