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.
