Primate, the first major horror release of the year, has surpassed the largest box office flop in Dwayne Johnson’s Hollywood career within just five days of screening. Backed by Paramount Pictures and produced on an estimated $24 million budget, the film opened on January 9 in 2,964 theaters across the United States, drawing a moderate response from audiences.
Box Office Performance and Market Breakdown
So far, Primate has earned approximately $15.2 million worldwide, with $13.1 million coming from the domestic US market and $2.1 million from international territories, according to Box Office Mojo. This distribution highlights the film’s struggle to gain traction overseas, although steady domestic turnout has helped maintain its presence in theaters during its initial days.
- North America – $13.1 million
- International – $2.1 million
- Worldwide – $15.2 million
Competition and Daily Earnings Amid a Crowded Release Schedule
Primate’s run has taken place in a challenging market environment crowded with higher-profile titles such as James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash, Zootopia 2, Sydney Sweeney’s The Housemaid, and Timothée Chalamet’s Marty Supreme, all of which continue to command audience attention. Primate launched with a $4.5 million earning on its opening Friday, securing second place on the US daily box office charts. Its rank slipped to third over the following days, with Tuesday’s take falling to $1.2 million.
Critical Acclaim Contrasts with Underwhelming Financial Momentum
Though critics have generally praised Primate, the box office trend suggests that positive reviews have yet to translate into lasting financial success. The film appears on a trajectory toward disappointing overall returns, indicating that its early buzz may not sustain an extended theatrical presence.
Comparing Primate to Dwayne Johnson’s Biggest Commercial Setback
Despite these hurdles, Primate has already outperformed last year’s A24 MMA biopic The Smashing Machine, which featured Dwayne Johnson and became the actor’s largest box office disappointment. The Smashing Machine closed with a global total of $21.3 million, including $11.4 million from the US, and was noted for a steep third-weekend drop of 82% alongside a reduction of 2,502 domestic theaters—the sharpest decline any Johnson film has experienced.
Upcoming Challenges and Theater Retractions
Looking forward, Primate faces similar risks of theater cuts during the next weekend, alongside Greenland 2: Migration, another recent release battling low turnout. These reductions could further limit the film’s potential to grow at the box office and narrow its path to profitability.
Plot Overview and Creative Leadership
Directed by Johannes Roberts, Primate centers on a family vacationing in a tropical locale who bring along their pet chimpanzee, Ben. After Ben is bitten by a rabid animal, his behavior turns violently unpredictable, transforming what should have been a peaceful holiday into a terrifying ordeal for the family and their friends.
“Primate is already showing a commercial response that outpaces previous underperformers, despite stiff competition and mixed international interest.” – Johannes Roberts, Director
Significance and Future Outlook for Primate
While Primate’s box office numbers indicate it has not yet achieved a breakthrough hit, the film’s ability to eclipse Dwayne Johnson’s worst-performing project represents a noteworthy achievement within the current crowded marketplace. Its progression over the next weeks will determine whether it can maintain audience engagement or fade amid the competition. Paramount Pictures will likely monitor trends carefully as the film faces the typical mid-range release challenges of shrinking theater counts and fluctuating attendance.
