Cinema

The phone calls are coming from inside the theater: 'Scream 7' terrorizes box office with record $64.6M opening | Movie Releases & Trends – Weekend of February 27, 2026

'Scream 7' slashes its way to 58% of total admissions, and concert films still exert a solid pull.
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Scream 7 led the box office with a record-breaking $64.6M debut this weekend, surpassing estimates and beating Scream IV’s previous franchise-best opening of $44M.  

The slasher, directed by Kevin Williamson, marks one of the strongest February horror launches in recent memory. It dominated the weekend, accounting for an estimated 58% of total admissions and 57% of overall revenue.

After only being mentioned in Scream VI, Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) returns on-screen to protect her daughter, the next target of a new Ghostface killer. While Rolling Stone snarkily called nostalgia the real killer, it worked for audiences who showed up in force.  

Historically, Scream films have thrived on sharp satire and self-awareness. This installment may be criticized for being “uninterested in dissecting its own existence,” but commercially, the brand remains bulletproof. Horror continues to prove it’s one of the most reliable theatrical genres, especially when tied to recognizable IP.

From stage to screen: Twenty One Pilots: More Than We Ever Imagined' captures $4.3M in eventized magic

Also new to the top ten and underscoring the growing power of concert films, Twenty One Pilots: More Than We Ever Imagined captured $4.3M in revenue from just 833 theaters, resulting in an impressive per-theater average.  

The film captures the band’s massive Mexico City performance at Estadio GNP Seguros during The Clancy World Tour, blending explosive stage moments with backstage access.  

Following the success of recent concert films over the past few years (think Stray Kids: The DominATE Experience), these limited-run releases continue to generate outsized results by mobilizing passionate fan bases for what feels like a one-night-only event with an almost “live” feel.

Meanwhile, EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert expanded wide this weekend after its initial successful limited release, drawing a 66% male audience. Directed by Baz Luhrmann, the AI-assisted documentary has drawn overwhelmingly positive reviews, with many critics calling it a “masterpiece” and the definitive big-screen Elvis experience. The strong response signals continued appetite for music-driven theatrical content — particularly when paired with premium formats. 

Hoppers bounces into critics' hearts as Pixar's funniest film yet, according to early buzz

Entering the family-friendly category next weekend, Pixar’s Hoppers could shake up the top of the chart. In this original animated adventure Mabel, a feisty and fierce protector of wildlife, uses technology to “hop” her consciousness into a robotic beaver, allowing her to communicate with animals.  

Early reviews agree: Pixar still has it. The New York Times says it “possesses that certain charm that comes from pudgy beavers and dastardly caterpillars, and a touch of weird humor,” and Time Out applauds “smart storytelling and snappy editing [that] elevate the jokes and enrich the emotions.” Hoppers could provide sustained family playability and potentially challenge GOAT for that audience.

From cute animals we move to creepier creations. Coming off the tails of Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, this weekend also brings THE BRIDE! In 1930s Chicago, groundbreaking scientist Dr. Euphronious brings a murdered young woman back to life to be a companion for Frankenstein's monster. Starring Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale, and directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, this horror drama offers adult audiences and R-rated alternative.  

March is well poised to overperform early spring expectations with even more variety on the way, from Colleen Hoover’s Reminders of Him to the adaption of best-selling novel Project Hail Mary. Stay tuned.  

How The People Platform's audience measurements can help drive insights

  • How many tickets will be sold this coming weekend? Find out on our next Cinema Ranker for a box office forecast and follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date with the latest cinema industry insights.
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