‘The Bride’ Flops While ‘Hoppers’ Ends Pixar’s Original Film Streak
This past weekend at the box office showcased a stark contrast between success and failure. On one end, the horror film, The Bride, struggled significantly, while Pixar’s new release, Hoppers, excelled, marking the end of Pixar’s dry spell in original films.
The Bride’s Disappointing Performance
The Bride debuted with a mere $7.3 million domestically and $13.6 million globally, against a steep production budget of $90 million. This performance fell short of initial projections, which estimated earnings between $10 and $15 million.
Set in 1930s Chicago, the film features Jessie Buckley as a deceased woman brought back to life to be a companion for Frankenstein’s monster, portrayed by Christian Bale. The narrative follows their unconventional journey, aiming to highlight themes of feminism against a backdrop of bold storytelling and musical numbers.
Directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, The Bride is her second feature, following her acclaimed debut, The Lost Daughter, released in 2021. While the latter was less commercially successful, it had a much lower budget and was distributed through Netflix, which limits theatrical runs.
Warner Bros. Faces Financial Setbacks
Warner Bros., the studio behind The Bride, expressed optimism despite the film’s poor reception. A statement highlighted the need for studios to embrace originality, even amidst financial risks. “The business is better served with studios taking bold swings on originals like this one,” they stated, referencing the entertainment industry’s cautious tendencies.
The release marked the end of a nine-movie box office winning streak for Warner Bros., which had thrived since the launch of A Minecraft Movie last year. Although original horror successes such as Sinners and Weapons helped bolster the studio’s reputation, The Bride‘s experimental nature might have alienated broader audiences.
Hoppers Takes the Box Office Crown
Hoppers, Pixar’s latest animated feature, decisively topped the box office, earning $46 million domestically and $88 million globally during its opening weekend. While it has a production budget of $150 million, industry experts believe Hoppers will successfully recoup its costs, especially given the momentum of animated family films in recent months.
Weekend Box Office Breakdown
| Rank | Movie | Domestic Box Office | Global Box Office | Weeks in Theaters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hoppers | $46 million | $88 million | 1 |
| 2 | Scream 7 | $17.3 million | $149.4 million | 2 |
| 3 | The Bride | $7.3 million | $13.6 million | 1 |
| 4 | GOAT | $83.8 million | $146 million | 3 |
| 5 | Wuthering Heights | $78 million | $213 million | 4 |
| 6 | Crime 101 | $33.1 million | $60.6 million | 5 |
| 7 | EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert | $10.9 million | $20.2 million | 2 |
| 8 | Send Help | $62.7 million | $91.4 million | 5 |
| 9 | I Can Only Imagine 2 | $16.2 million | $16.2 million | 2 |
| 10 | Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle | $135.8 million | $734.7 million | 25 |
This marks a significant milestone for Pixar, which has struggled with original releases over the past few years. Their recent efforts were overshadowed by several sequels that performed well. There is renewed hope following Hoppers due to positive reviews and strong audience turnout.
Looking ahead, the upcoming romantic drama Reminders of Him is set to capture attention next weekend, followed by Project Hail Mary, a blockbuster release scheduled for March 6, 2026.
