The Scoreboard
| # | Film | WW Gross | Budget | ROI | TMDB Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Insidious: Out of the Further | $157.3M | $18.0M | 774% | 6.5 |
| 2 | PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie | $138.3M | $40.0M | 246% | 7.9 |
| 3 | The End of Oak Street | $120.4M | $80.0M | 50% | 6.974 |
| 4 | Resident Evil | $108.3M | $75.0M | 44% | 7.295 |
| 5 | Coyote vs. Acme | $75.3M | $72.0M | 5% | 7.6 |
| 6 | Practical Magic 2 | $46.0M | $75.0M | -39% | 6.014 |
| 7 | Hope | $41.2M | $46.0M | -10% | 7.4 |
| 8 | The Dog Stars | $37.4M | $110.0M | -66% | 6.629 |
| 9 | Mutiny | $20.8M | $40.0M | -48% | 6.4 |
| 10 | Tony | $18.1M | $15.0M | 21% | 7.571 |
The Winners
Once again, horror proves that it is the only genre with a functional understanding of economics. Insidious: Out of the Further pulled in a massive $157.3M on a modest $18.0M budget. That 774% ROI is the kind of figure that makes studio executives weep with joy. By keeping production costs low and leaning into a pre-sold franchise name, the film has essentially printed money. It follows the classic Blumhouse-style trajectory of maximizing theatrical margins before even hitting the streaming cycle.
In the second spot, PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie continues to prove that parents will pay any price for ninety minutes of silence. With a 246% ROI and a strong 7.9 TMDB rating, this film is a dual threat. It has the critical backing of its target audience and the commercial legs to justify its $40.0M price tag. Compared to other animated features in our database, it is outperforming expectations by nearly 30% for this time of year.
The Losers
The Dog Stars is currently a catastrophic lesson in overspending. With a $110.0M budget and only $37.4M in total revenue, it is sitting at a dismal -66% ROI. High-concept science fiction is always a gamble, but when the budget exceeds nine figures, the margin for error disappears. A 6.629 TMDB rating suggests the audience is lukewarm at best, meaning there is very little word-of-mouth energy to save this sinking ship.
Meanwhile, Practical Magic 2 is finding out that nostalgia has a shelf life. Despite a $75.0M investment, it has only recouped $46.0M. A -39% ROI coupled with a 6.014 rating indicates that this was a sequel nobody particularly asked for. Mutiny and Hope also joined the red-ink club this week. Our model suggests that mid-budget action and sci-fi are currently struggling to find an identity in a market dominated by low-cost horror and high-cost established IP.
The One to Watch
Tony is the sleeper hit that deserves your attention. It scraped into the tenth spot with $18.1M, but its 21% ROI on a tiny $15.0M budget tells a more interesting story. It currently boasts a 7.571 TMDB rating, which is the third highest on the chart. In a sea of bloated blockbusters, this small-scale Drama/Comedy is actually turning a profit. If it maintains its current theater count, we expect it to climb further into the green as positive reviews circulate.
The Takeaway
The data from this week is crystal clear. Efficiency is beating scale. The combined revenue of the top two films, which cost a total of $58.0M to make, is nearly double the revenue of the three biggest losers, which cost $231.0M. Our database indicates that audiences are rejecting "mid-tier" prestige sequels and expensive, gloomy sci-fi in favor of lean, genre-specific entertainment. If you are not a household name for toddlers or a jump-scare factory, your budget better be under $20.0M or you are entering a world of financial pain.
