“Mission: Impossible” Premieres at $80M Over Five Days, Rekindling Box Office Despite Falling Short of Predictions

The Paramount Pictures release of “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” witnessed an impressive five-day launch of $80 million, setting a new record for the franchise, although it did not meet the anticipated $56.2 million for the three-day weekend, based on studio estimates. This outcome followed an intense international promotional campaign led by star Tom Cruise.

While robust international sales from 70 markets contributed to a robust $155 million, the movie couldn’t reach the heights of last year’s blockbuster, “Top Gun: Maverick,” despite its strong $235 million worldwide launch. This launch was one of the highest global debuts of the year.

Despite projections for “Dead Reckoning Part One,” the seventh film in the 27-year-old franchise, to surpass the previous franchise record set by “Fallout” with its $61 million domestic opening in 2018, the movie also failed to outdo the $57.8 million debut of “Mission: Impossible II” in 2000.

The film’s inaugural weekend results were akin to the lukewarm reception of Disney’s “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” which garnered $82 million over five days and $60 million over the three-day weekend in U.S. and Canadian cinemas. “Dead Reckoning,” with production costs of $290 million excluding marketing expenses, was expected to perform significantly better by Paramount and Skydance.

The movie, directed by Christopher McQuarrie, was one of the initial major productions to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to an increase in costs. It was due to begin filming in Italy in March 2020 but was delayed due to the outbreak. Upon resuming, McQuarrie and Cruise played a significant role in reviving the film industry, though they faced some resistance over safety protocols.

Nonetheless, “Dead Reckoning” received high praise as a standout in the franchise. It received rave reviews from critics (96% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes) and audience members (an “A” CinemaScore) who were impressed with the film’s action sequences. The upcoming “Barbenheimer” — a combined debut of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” — poses a significant challenge, but “Mission: Impossible” is expected to continue its strong performance for weeks.

Cruise, who was hailed as the rescuer of cinemas last year, tirelessly promoted the film to re-energize the summer box office. Following a grand world premiere in Rome, Cruise and McQuarrie made surprise appearances in Atlanta, Miami, Toronto, and Washington D.C. ahead of the film’s launch.

“Dead Reckoning” was released during a critical mid-summer period for Hollywood, marking the start of one of the year’s biggest box-office face-offs. Despite competing with “Oppenheimer” for the same IMAX screens, the films’ teams championed the idea that success for one can mean success for all. Cruise and McQuarrie even purchased opening-weekend tickets to both “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” with directors Greta Gerwig and Christopher Nolan returning the favor.

The performance of these films in the coming weeks will significantly influence the summer box office. According to Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for data firm Comscore, “Mission” kick-starts the summer movie season, leading into “Barbenheimer.”

Other new releases over the weekend couldn’t compete with “Mission: Impossible”. Angel Studios’ political thriller “Sound of Freedom” came in second with $27 million, a 37% increase from its second week. “Insidious: The Red Door” dropped to third with $13 million in its second weekend, while “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” is swiftly descending with $12 million in its third weekend, totaling $145.4 million domestically so far.

Searchlight Pictures’ mockumentary “Theater Camp” debuted to $270,000 from six theaters in New York and Los Angeles in limited release.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore, will be released Monday:

1. “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One,” $56.2 million.
2. “Sound of Freedom,” $27 million.
3. “Insidious: The Red Door,” $13 million.
4. “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” $12 million.
5. “Elemental,” $8.7 million.
6. “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” $6.1 million.
7. “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts,” $3.4 million.
8. “No Hard Feelings,” $3.3 million.
9. “Joy Ride,” $2.6 million.
10. “The Little Mermaid,” $2.4 million.

For more updates, follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP.

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More about Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One debut

• Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One Official Trailer
• Rotten Tomatoes Reviews for Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
• CinemaScore Ratings
• Box Office Report – Comscore
• The Impact of COVID-19 on Film Production
• Paramount Pictures Official Website