Thescreescore – The highly anticipated "Anaconda" reboot, a meta-comedy that playfully reimagines the 1997 creature feature, has wasted no time in making its mark at the box office. Starring comedic powerhouses Jack Black and Paul Rudd, the film has swiftly achieved a crucial financial milestone, recouping its entire reported production budget within its first two weeks of release. This rapid ascent signals a strong audience connection, despite a mixed critical reception.
Having premiered on Christmas Day, the 2025 iteration of "Anaconda" immediately distinguished itself by securing the franchise’s second-highest opening weekend performance. Its impressive momentum continued into its sophomore frame, with projections indicating a robust $9.2 million haul over the three-day period. This figure represents a remarkably resilient hold, showing only a 37% decline from its debut. By Sunday’s close, the film’s cumulative domestic gross is expected to reach an impressive $45 million.
This domestic total is particularly significant as it means the movie has successfully recouped its reported $45 million production budget from U.S. ticket sales alone, achieving this feat in a mere 11 days. For a genre film, especially one with a comedic twist on a well-known property, this rapid return on investment is a testament to its market appeal.
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While professional critics have offered a somewhat lukewarm reception, with "Anaconda" holding a 52% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, audience sentiment tells a different story. Users on the same platform have awarded it a much more enthusiastic 76%, complemented by a solid "B" CinemaScore. This disparity between critical and public opinion often translates into strong "legs" at the box office, allowing a film to maintain steady viewership over an extended period, a phenomenon frequently observed during the holiday season.
However, the path to becoming a resounding theatrical hit typically requires a film to gross approximately two-and-a-half times its production budget. For "Anaconda," this would place its break-even point closer to $112.5 million. Yet, the film’s global performance already paints a promising picture. Prior to its second domestic weekend, "Anaconda" had already amassed $20 million from international markets. With Sunday’s worldwide figures still to be tallied, the global total is poised to surge considerably past $65 million, firmly placing it on a trajectory toward overall profitability.
A potential challenge looms on the horizon, however, in the form of Johannes Roberts’ new horror film, "Primate," set to debut on January 9. This creature feature, which centers on a pet chimpanzee’s violent transformation, will enter direct competition with "Anaconda" for the attention of genre enthusiasts. While initial box office theories do not project "Primate" to open much higher than $7 million, a significant week-on-week drop for "Anaconda" could see its domestic chart position eclipsed by the newcomer.
Despite this impending competition, the long-term financial outlook for "Anaconda" remains optimistic. Even if its theatrical run doesn’t fully reach the traditional break-even point, future revenue streams from video-on-demand (VOD), streaming platform licensing, physical media sales, and television syndication are expected to comfortably secure its overall financial success. The meta-comedy’s swift box office performance underscores the enduring appeal of the "Anaconda" brand, reimagined for a new generation by thescreescore.com.
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