Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s latest release, “Dog Man,” based on Dav Pilkey’s beloved series, has already made an impressive debut with $1.36 million in preview screenings. Compared to previous animated hits such as “The Bad Guys” and “Trolls Band Together,” which grossed $1.15 million and $1.3 million respectively, “Dog Man” appears poised for a strong opening weekend. The social media buzz surrounding this film indicates a compelling interest among audiences, particularly families with young children, suggesting that it may reach an opening figure north of $20 million.
Recent trends reveal that “Dog Man” has significantly outgrown its initial competition—especially “Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie,” which had opened to $23 million. Current analytics estimate that awareness and engagement metrics for “Dog Man” have surged impressively, potentially allowing it to reach the coveted $30 million mark. The pivotal audience for this film seems to be parents under 35, a demographic that typically embraces animated features, thus enhancing the likelihood of strong ticket sales. Garnering a 4.5-star rating from both kids and parents on Screen Engine/Comscore PostTrak further underscores its broad appeal.
In contrast, “Companion,” an R-rated horror film from New Line, is generating significant attention, achieving a commendable four-star score in exit polls and a stellar 94% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Early predictions estimate an opening gross between $8 million and $11 million, a figure that may seem modest but reflects a positive trajectory following an intensive marketing push from Warner Bros. The film’s earlier projections indicated an opening below $5 million, but increased awareness stemming from trailers and promotional content has led to a dramatic uptick in interest.
The previews for “Companion” began at 3 PM and ultimately totaled around $1.7 million when including earlier mystery screenings. This performance positions it favorably against other R-rated titles like Universal’s “Violent Night,” which opened to $13.4 million following a $1.1 million preview, and Blumhouse’s “Night Swim,” which grossed $11.7 million after a $1.45 million preview showing.
The initial performance data of both “Dog Man” and “Companion” signals a vibrant beginning to the cinematic year. While animated films generally cater to family audiences, the horror genre has consistently attracted adult viewers, especially with well-crafted narratives and compelling characters. The ability of both films to capitalize on their initial market positioning could reshuffle audience preferences throughout the year.
Furthermore, with both films being representative of distinct genres—animation and horror—there is an opportunity to further dissect the underlying consumer trends in movie attendance. As cinemas continue to recover from pandemic-related challenges, the results of these early openings may set essential benchmarks for future films in their respective categories. Indeed, 2024 could see an uptick in successful releases if early predictions hold true and audience engagement continues to rise across various demographics.