The specialty box office is seeing a strong start to March, driven by concert films and a re-release of a classic. Twenty One Pilots: More Than We Ever Imagined – Live in Mexico City and EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert are currently holding the fourth and fifth spots, respectively, in North American ticket sales, demonstrating continued audience appetite for music-focused cinematic experiences. This weekend’s performance underscores a trend of musical events finding success outside of traditional theatrical releases.
The Twenty One Pilots film, released by Trafalgar Releasing, opened to $3.7 million across 836 screens. A significant portion of that revenue – $2 million – came from 270 IMAX locations following an exclusive premiere on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, according to reports. The film captures the band’s performance before 65,000 fans at Estadio GNP Seguros in Mexico City during The Clancy World Tour. It’s a pivotal moment for the duo, Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun, and the film aims to provide an intimate appear at their preparation and connection with their fanbase.
Behind the Scenes with Twenty One Pilots
Twenty One Pilots: More Than We Ever Imagined isn’t simply a concert recording. The film blends high-energy performance footage with behind-the-scenes access, following Joseph and Dun from their arrival in Mexico City through to taking the stage. Exclusive commentary from both band members offers personal reflections on their journey and the importance of their fans. Formed in 2009 in Columbus, Ohio, by Joseph, Nick Thomas, and Chris Salih, the band evolved to its current lineup with the addition of Dun in 2011. The film offers a glimpse into the dynamic that has propelled them to international success. You can view the trailer for the film here.
Elvis Returns to the Big Screen
Also making waves is Baz Luhrmann’s documentary, EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, from Neon. The film has grossed $3.5 million at 1,940 screens during its second week of release, bringing its cumulative total to $7.8 million. EPiC weaves together previously unreleased footage from Elvis Presley’s legendary 1970s Las Vegas residency, archival material from Graceland, and rediscovered recordings used during Luhrmann’s research for his 2022 biopic, Elvis. The documentary initially opened exclusively on 325 IMAX screens last weekend.
Other Releases at the Box Office
Beyond the two headliners, a variety of other films are finding audiences in the specialty market. Ken Yamamoto’s Uma Musume: Pretty Derby – Beginning of a New Era, distributed by Gaga Corporation, opened to an estimated $900,000 on 600 screens. This is the first feature-length anime film based on the popular multimedia franchise about anthropomorphized racehorses. A24’s Pillion, starring Alexander Skarsgard and Harry Melling, continues to perform well, adding an estimated $700,000 in its expansion to 357 screens, for a total of $2.5 million. Roadside Attractions’ 2026 Oscar Nominated Shorts earned $643,000 on 321 screens in its second week, pushing its cumulative gross to over $2.1 million.
Well Go USA Entertainment’s Blades Of The Guardians grossed an estimated $230,000 on 83 screens in its second week, bringing its total to $1.2 million. Focus Features’ Midwinter Break, starring Lesley Manville and Ciarán Hinds, added approximately $200,000 at 808 theaters, for a cumulative total of $913,000. Greenwich Entertainment’s Dreams, a collaboration between Michel Franco and Jessica Chastain, opened to $95,000 at 188 theaters, becoming the top performer at NYC’s Angelika Film Center. A limited release, the comedy For Worse from Brainstorm Media, opened to $10,900 on two screens, with sold-out Q&A sessions featuring Amy Landecker and Bradley Whitford. Finally, Janus Films’ re-release of Satyajit Ray’s Days And Nights In The Forest grossed $16,800 on a single screen at Film Forum in NYC, with plans for expansion to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and Seattle in the coming weeks.
The success of these films, particularly the concert films, highlights a growing trend of audiences seeking shared experiences in theaters beyond traditional blockbuster fare. The appeal of seeing favorite artists perform on the big screen, combined with behind-the-scenes access, continues to draw viewers and contribute to a diverse and dynamic specialty box office.
Looking ahead, the continued expansion of EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert and the performance of the Oscar Nominated Shorts will be key indicators of the specialty market’s strength in the coming weeks. Further updates on box office numbers and release schedules will be available as they are reported.
What are your thoughts on the rise of concert films in theaters? Share your opinions in the comments below.
Worth a look
