The Front Roomhas debuted with a record low for the horror genre in 2024. The new movie is the feature debut of writer-directors Max and Sam Eggers, who are the twin brothers ofThe WitchandThe Lighthousedirector Robert Eggers.A24’sThe Front Roomstars Brandy as Belinda, a pregnant anthropology professor whose sick and grieving stepmother-in-law Solange (Kathryn Hunter) moves in with her and her husband Norman (Andrew Burnap), causing a variety of increasingly sinister issues for the couple.
PerDeadline, as of Sunday morning,The Front Roomis projected to debut with a 3-day total of $1.66 million from 2,095 theaters. This total places it at No. 10 on the domestic chart for the weekend, well below the competing new releaseBeetlejuice Beetlejuice, which is on track to earn $110 million. It is also set forthe worst opening weekend for a 2024 horror movie so far, which in this case is defined as any title in the genre that opened in more than 1,000 theaters.
The only exception from this calculation is the Fathom Events presentation ofWinnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2, which did play in more than 1,400 theaters butdoes not have a proper 3-day opening weekend total, as it only screened for three days between Tuesday, March 26, and Thursday, March 28.
What This Opening Weekend Means For The Front Room
The Movie May Still Earn A Profit
Perhaps spurred on by the fact thatThe Front Roomwas the lowest-ratedA24 movie of 2024on Rotten Tomatoes with a score of 51%, the movie’s opening weekend is a thorough disappointment. It was evenoutperformed by movies that opened in significantly fewer theaters, such asIn a Violent NatureandCuckoo. Below, see a breakdown of how it compares to the previous lowest-grossing wide release horror movies of 2024, includingAfraid, which recently earned one of Blumhouse’s worst debuts in nine years:
2095
$1.66 million
1426
$2.1 million
2240
$2.4 million
1503
$3 million
3003
$3.7 million
However, while the movie’s budget has not been reported, it does not seem likely to be high. Because its core cast consists of just three actors, it is primarily set in a single home, and it is a psychological thriller without the need for extensive effects,its price tag was likely considerably lower than other A24 horror moviessuch asHereditary(which cost $10 million) orBodies Bodies Bodies(which cost $3 million). It remains to be seen ifThe Front Roomis profitable in theaters, but its break-even point could very well be within sight even with this record.
Our Take On The Front Room’s Opening Weekend
The A24 Horror Movie Could Maintain Its Record
It remains to be seen if any upcoming wide release2024 horror moviesbeat the record low ofThe Front Room, especially untested properties like the Halle Berry-ledDon’t Let Goor the anticipated microbudget slasher sequelTerrifier 3, which is a sequel to a surprise hit, but one that didn’t open in wide release. However, it seems entirelypossible that it will hold its record through the end of the year.
The Front Room
Cast
The Front Room is a psychological horror film directed by the Eggers Brothers. Set in a single location, it revolves around a young, pregnant woman caring for her ailing grandmother, whose secrets and dementia create a tense and eerie atmosphere. The film stars Brandy Norwood and Kathryn Hunter, and explores themes of family, memory, and the supernatural.
