Primate Box Office Collection Day 11: Paramount’s January horror-thriller Primate is showing worrying signs at the box office as it enters its second weekend in theaters. Despite a wide release and a relatively controlled production budget, the film has struggled to maintain momentum, signaling a potentially disappointing theatrical run.
Sharp Second-Weekend Decline Raises Alarm Bells
After opening to a modest $11.1 million in its debut weekend, Primate suffered a steep 55.2% drop in its second frame. The film earned only $5 million over the three-day weekend while still playing in 2,964 theaters, translating to a weak $1,686 per-screen average, according to Box Office Mojo.
Poor audience reception and intense competition from other January releases appear to be major factors behind the sharp decline. Word of mouth has not been strong enough to support consistent footfalls, which is crucial for genre films after opening weekend.
Current Box Office Performance Snapshot
Here’s a clear look at Primate’s box office status so far:
| Region | Box Office Collection |
|---|---|
| North America | $20.5 million |
| International | $3.6 million |
| Worldwide Total | $24.1 million |
With a reported $21 million production budget, the film still has a chance to break even, but it will need far stronger holds in the coming weeks—especially overseas, where returns remain underwhelming.
Comparison With A24’s Horror Success
Interestingly, Primate has already outperformed A24’s acclaimed horror film Bring Her Back in the domestic market. While Bring Her Back earned $19.3 million in the U.S., it went on to collect nearly $40 million worldwide thanks to strong reviews and long-term audience interest—an area where Primate is currently lagging.
About the Film
Directed by Johannes Roberts and released by Paramount Pictures, Primate follows a family vacation that turns deadly after their pet chimpanzee becomes violently unstable following a rabid animal bite. What begins as a tropical escape quickly transforms into a survival nightmare.
As things stand, Primate is projected to finish its domestic run between $30–$35 million. While not an outright disaster, the steep second-weekend drop suggests the film may fall short of becoming a profitable horror hit.
Note: Box office figures are based on estimates from industry tracking sources.
Chaitan Limkar is a tech and entertainment writer passionate about innovation, media, and the stories shaping the digital world.
