Jurassic World Rebirth opens strong at the box office, F1 speeds past expectations in summer showdown

‎Hollywood’s summer movie season has officially ignited, with dinosaurs and racecars leading a massive Fourth of July weekend box office. Universal’s Jurassic World Rebirth, the latest installment in the iconic dinosaur franchise, took a formidable $26 million bite out of the domestic box office on Independence Day alone. That figure, spread across 6,105 North American venues, adds to an already explosive five-day performance totaling $55.8 million before the holiday even arrived.
“Jurassic World Rebirth” leads July 4th box office with $85M weekend; Brad Pitt’s “F1” follows strong. Summer blockbuster season is thriving.
‎Universal Pictures
‎The film is projected to rake in more than $140 million by the end of Sunday, placing it firmly as the seventh-highest grossing domestic release of 2025 so far. With a hefty production budget near $180 million—excluding marketing expenditures—Universal is relying on strong holiday momentum and international markets to propel Rebirth into profit territory. Domestically, a three-day weekend take of approximately $85 million reinforces the franchise’s enduring appeal, even amid mixed critical reviews.
‎Performance comparisons show a decline in initial earnings compared to previous Jurassic World entries. The 2015 original debuted to a record-setting $208 million, while Fallen Kingdom and Dominion opened at $148 million and $145 million respectively. However, those numbers stem from standard three-day weekends, whereas Rebirth is measured over a five-day holiday stretch, complicating direct comparison. Still, the dino-drama holds its ground as a crowd-pleasing summer spectacle.
‎Helmed by Gareth Edwards (Rogue One), and scripted by original Jurassic Park screenwriter David Koepp, Jurassic World Rebirth stars Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and Jonathan Bailey. The plot centers on a perilous expedition into a genetically volatile jungle, where DNA that could potentially cure heart disease becomes a deadly treasure. Audiences responded favorably, with CinemaScore grading the film a solid “B.” Critics, however, remain divided, with Rotten Tomatoes clocking in at a lukewarm 51%.
‎Brad Pitt’s high-octane F1 sped into second place with a $7 million Friday gross, indicating a significant 72% dip from its debut. Still, the film continues to draw strong attendance through premium formats like Imax and Dolby Cinema. Directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick) and co-produced by Apple Studios, F1 is projected to reach $107 million domestically by the weekend’s close—marking Apple’s first major theatrical success following lukewarm box office returns for Argylle and Fly Me to the Moon.
‎The racing drama pits Pitt’s seasoned driver against rising star Damson Idris in a gritty tale of mentorship, resilience, and competition on the international circuit. Early audience buzz and strong format-specific performance have helped propel the film past expectations, even with the sharp week-over-week drop.
‎In third place, Universal continues its winning streak with How to Train Your Dragon, which earned $2.8 million on Friday. Now in its fourth week, the live-action adaptation of the beloved animated film projects a $9.7 million weekend, pushing its total domestic haul to $222 million. This puts it ahead of Captain America: Brave New World, now ranking fourth overall for the year. Directed once again by Dean DeBlois, who helmed the original trilogy, the film has already spawned a sequel set for summer 2027.
‎Disney’s Elio, a family-centric sci-fi tale, occupies fourth place with $1.5 million on Friday. The film, which has endured a challenging run, now bears the distinction of having the lowest Pixar opening to date. A weekend projection of $54 million leaves its box office trajectory uncertain. The story, focusing on a young boy’s dream of alien encounters, has struggled to resonate broadly despite Pixar’s usual pedigree.
‎Rounding out the top five is Sony’s 28 Years Later, Danny Boyle’s revival of his cult zombie universe. The film added $1.15 million on Friday and should see its domestic gross climb to $60 million by the end of its third weekend. A sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, directed by Nia DaCosta, is already complete and on track for a January 2026 release. Boyle has hinted that the trilogy’s completion could depend on box office performance—or his personal financial involvement.

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