Pixar’s Hoppers continues to dominate as Universal and A24 introduce new films that opened with encouraging preview numbers
The theatrical landscape this weekend sees a familiar champion and two fresh challengers. After a robust first week, Hoppers looks set to remain the top draw, while Universal’s adaptation Reminders of Him and A24’s indie horror undertone rolled out preview showings that industry watchers are parsing for momentum. Early totals and historical comparisons will factor into weekend forecasts as studios and distributors measure audience appetite for original animation versus star-led adaptations and low-budget horror.
Both new releases posted solid first-day preview receipts: Universal’s Reminders of Him collected $1.9 million from approximately 3,000 theaters in showings that began at 2:00 p.m., while A24’s undertone — which has been on the festival circuit — grossed about $1 million from roughly 2,750 locations. These figures will shape weekend projections and help studios decide whether to widen marketing pushes or lean on niche audiences.
After seven days in release, Hoppers has amassed $58.2 million across roughly 4,000 theaters, putting it ahead of several other Pixar originals in their opening frames — past titles such as Elemental ($47 million), Elio ($31.5 million) and the pre-pandemic Onward ($49.7 million) started lower in their first weeks. Forecasts point to the animated picture earning about $27 million in its second weekend, which would secure its hold on top box office rankings for another frame and limit the immediate upside for arriving adult-skewing titles.
Reminders of Him, directed by Vanessa Caswill and adapted from the Colleen Hoover novel, opened previews that outpaced the early receipts of Hoover’s prior screenings; it sits above the preview day totals for Regretting You ($1 million previews, $13.6 million opening) and also ahead of recent A24 rom-com preview day marks such as The Materialists ($1.5 million, $11.3 million opening). Industry models put the film in a $10 million–$15 million opening weekend range. Market observers note the picture’s PG-13 rating and cast — including Maika Monroe, Tyriq Withers, Lainey Wilson, Bradley Whitford and Lauren Graham — give it the potential to attract a predominantly female audience this spring.
The film follows a recently released woman who tries to reconnect with the young daughter she had while incarcerated, only to face resistance from the child’s grandparents and community, with a local bar owner becoming an unexpected ally. The narrative and promotional materials emphasize emotional reunion and redemption, positioning the adaptation to draw fans of the source novel as well as viewers seeking romantic melodrama. The film’s early turnout suggests that the built-in readership for *Colleen Hoover* remains a reliable box office driver.
A24’s undertone arrived with roughly $1 million from preview play across about 2,750 theaters. The title has played festivals and was subsequently acquired by A24; reports indicate the film was made for approximately $500,000 before P&A (an industry shorthand for prints and advertising). Low-cost horror that builds via word of mouth and strong critical response can rapidly outperform expectations, and the movie’s early receipts sit ahead of first-day numbers for other recent genre entries.
Previews for undertone topped the opening-day mark for films such as the Philippou brothers’ release, which had $850,000 in previews before an eventual $7.1 million total opening weekend. If the new A24 title finds traction with horror fans and mainstream curious audiences, distributors could be looking at a similar three-day range. Festival buzz, critical conversation, and social traction will all be decisive in whether undertone can expand beyond a specialty hit into a broader commercial success.
Warner Bros.’ tentatively budgeted $80 million production The Bride! concluded its first week with about $9.2 million from 3,304 locations and is widely expected to see a steep weekend decline. That dynamic — a big-studio title underperforming while an original animation maintains strength — underlines how audience preferences continue to favor established franchises and compelling word-of-mouth plays. Over the weekend, the duel between Pixar’s staying power and the commercial prospects of a Hoover adaptation and an A24 horror film will determine whether specialty programs can dent the animated leader or simply round out a crowded theatrical marketplace.
In short, Hoppers begins the weekend as the film to beat, Reminders of Him carries a loyal fan base and a hopeful $10M–$15M target, and undertone relies on festival roots, efficient budgeting and genre love to punch above its weight. The next few days of box office returns and audience reaction will clarify which of these narratives holds true.