Olivia Wilde’s “The Invite” earned an estimated $3.9M in its latest weekend from 2,110 theaters, bringing its domestic total to approximately $15M and $22M worldwide. I wouldn’t call this a solid hold, as it made $6M last weekend in far fewer theaters—it expanded nationwide this weekend.
I thought the film might benefit from positive word of mouth, even as it competes against major summer blockbusters—and maybe that’s the real issue here. Going up against Christopher Nolan is a losing battle.
When the film was playing in limited release, exclusively in New York and Los Angeles, there were several reports of sold-out screenings with audiences laughing throughout, leading many to believe the film would post stronger box office numbers than it has.
Should A24’s release strategy be questioned here? Sandwiching this one between two blockbuster releases might have limited its commercial potential, and I’ve been suggesting an August release all along.
If you remember, “The Invite” was the biggest sale out of this year’s Sundance Film Festival, with A24 acquiring it for $12M. If the strong reviews it’s been receiving translate into Oscar nominations, then it could prove to be a worthwhile investment for A24. Some Oscar “experts” believe it could earn a Best Picture nomination if the fall movie season turns out to be underwhelming. At the very least, a Best Original Screenplay nomination seems like a real possibility.
Regardless, we’ll see how it holds next weekend. Another $3M–$4M Friday-to-Sunday frame would change the narrative. A24 reportedly acquired the worldwide rights for a relatively modest price, and international distribution deals may ultimately allow the film to break even.
Beyond the numbers, it’s a film worth checking out. Wilde shot her third feature, following “Booksmart” and “Don’t Worry Darling,” in just 21 days, on film, scene by scene, and in chronological order. The result? A Sundance bidding war, ultimately won by A24, and strong reviews: an 82 on Metacritic and a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Malkovich, a two-time Oscar nominee, fought back tears while the audience cheered him, which has become a first-stop tradition to kick-start an Oscar campaign — tears need to be shed!