Strictly Business Daily Variety -- 'Primate,' 'No Other Choice' Help January Box Office; What CES and the Golden Globes Had in Common
Jan 12, 2026
Rebecca Rubin, Senior Film and Media Reporter at Variety, dives into the weekend box office, celebrating the successful debuts of Paramount’s "Primate" and Neon’s "No Other Choice." She discusses the patterns of weekday versus weekend attendance and how marketing can influence box office results. With insights on the awards buzz surrounding various films and the implications for upcoming releases, Rubin offers a comprehensive look at the current state of the film industry, along with a sneak peek at thrilling January titles.
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Avatar's Still Massive But Slowing
- Avatar: Fire and Ash has reached $342M domestically and $1.2B globally after four weeks.
- It shows diminishing returns versus predecessors but remains a colossal box-office success.
Low Budget Eases Box-Office Pressure
- Paramount's Primate opened to about $11.3M domestically on a $21M budget.
- The film can be profitable without a blockbuster opening because of its modest cost.
Mid-Budget Films Can Thrive
- The Housemaid cost $35M and delivered a big audience response for Lionsgate.
- Crowd-pleasing, mid-budget films can still drive strong theatrical turnout.