Let’s take a look at what is popular at the cinema in the UK right now. Is this the year when the Summer Blockbuster finally sees a return to its pre-pandemic high? Will the Top 10 continue to be dominated by sequels and remakes or is there space for new and original content? Let’s examine what is performing well and share the trailers for the Top 3 films in the UK at the moment!

• 1. Despicable Me 4 – £8,856,183 (BO £8,856,183)

Storming in at the top spot this week, Despicable Me 4 shows that sequels continue to dominate when it comes to films for younger audiences. I would assume it’s because they are a known quantity for the parents and the kids love seeing their favourites on the big screen? Regardless, as the Summer holidays continue, I would expect this film to stay at the Number One and then in the Top 10 for a long time.

• 2. Inside Out 2 – £2,225,169 (BO Total – £44,485,366)

This is exactly where I expected Inside Out 2 to be this week. It’s still pulling in a massive amount of audience share but there’s no way it could have stopped the Minion powered train. Inside Out will be in the Top 10 for a few more weeks yet, and continue to smash box office records.

• 3. Longlegs – £1,371,352 (BO Total – £1,371,352)

I am delighted that Longlegs is in the Top 3 this week and also impressed that it broke £1 million on its opening weekend (but not surprised given the EXCELLENT marketing campaign). I have seen it myself (and I’ll keep my opinion on it for another blog) but the fact that a new, original story with interesting actors, a fairly new writer/director (although Oz Perkins does have some other films under his belt) is very heartening. It will be interesting to see whether audience word of mouth will help to keep this momentum up in the coming weeks. One to watch.

• 4. Fly Me To The Moon- £862,358 (BO Total – £862,358)

Considering the star power attached to this film – Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum have equal top billing – I’m surprised that this didn’t smash the million mark right out of the gate. I do think it was an odd time to release a romantic comedy when you are up against the juggernauts of both kids films and summer blockbuster season. This is never going to compete against either of those categories.

• 5. A Quiet Place: Day One – £824,948 (BO Total – £8,012,216)

Nice to see this stay high in the charts and stick around for a few weeks. This is a film that is billed as a horror but very much a character driven piece of film making. Would recommend!

• 6. Indian 2 – £213,244 (BO Total – £213,244)

Another Indian language film hitting the Top 10 and I’m intrigued. I live in a medium sized Scottish town and I have no idea where my nearest cinema would be that screening these films. But they are obviously on enough screens and making enough of an impact to break into the Top 10 with the rest of these big name films.

• 7. Bad Boys 2: Ride or Die – £201,509 – (BO Total – £11,561,075)

Will Smith continues to be a fan favourite but surely this won’t be in the Top 10 next week? Or will it?

• 8. The Bikeriders – £130,871 – (BO Total – £3,585,493)

I’m genuinely surprised that The Bikeriders is still in the Top 10 and it makes me wonder…. who is going to see it? I’ve seen zero buzz about this film which makes me think it’s all word of mouth (as it doesn’t seem like it would be repeat viewings powering it’s longevity).  

• 9. MaXXXine – £113,190 – (BO Total – £787,376)

I would love to see MaXXXine hit the million pound mark as it shows that horror is a vital genre in our film landscape but I will be surprised if this film is in the Top 10 next week.

• 10. In A Violent Nature – £101,729 (BO Total – £101,729)

This is a pleasant surprise! As a horror fan, I am intrigued by this film (haven’t seen it yet) but also is says to me that if you want people to pay for tickets in a cinema, then kids movies and horror movies are the way to do it. This is also an impressive feat considering this was on limited release. I hope that the studios take note and give us more original horror!

Next week should be interesting as we keep an eye on two things;

1. Does Longlegs continue to sit high in the chart through word of mouth?
2. How does the opening week of Twisters affect the Top 3 and can it bring a strong enough gust to knock Despicable Me 4 off the top spot after only one week? We shall see…