Alex Garland’s Dystopian Civil War Box Office Breaks Records for A24

Alex Garland’s Civil War has broken three major records for the independent production company A24. Following a group of journalists who venture to Washington DC to interview the President amidst a raging civil war, the film boasts A24’s largest budget to date, at $50 million.

Per Variety, Civil War took in $25.7 million (domestic) on its opening weekend. This is the biggest opening weekend for any A24 film. Civil War dethroned Ari Aster’s Hereditary, which took home $13.5 million in its opening weekend back in 2018. Garland’s latest movie was projected to take home between $15 million and $20 million, but massively exceeded these predictions. Civil War‘s popularity, which is partly accredited to its creative team and phenomenal cast (which includes, Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, Jesse Plemons, and Nick Offerman), is also aided by A24’s growing reputation. The New York-based production company has revitalized the independent cinema scene and earned a devout cult following.

On top of that, Civil War is also the highest grossing R-Rated movie of 2024 so far, beating out The First Omen, Wicked Little Letters, and Monkey Man. However, that is expected to change soon. Guy Ritchie’s The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare hits theaters on April 19, and has the potential to dethrone Civil War for the award. Of course, Deadpool & Wolverine is predicted to become the highest grossing R-Rated movie of 2024 when it releases on July 26. A24’s strong opening weekend also marks the first time an A24 film has earned the number one spot at the domestic box office.

A24’s Popularity Continues to Grow

A24 started life as an independent film distributor in 2012, buying the distribution rights for ‘disruptive’ films like Spring Breakers and Under the Skin. The studio later moved into production, working with acclaimed filmmakers like Barry Jenkins, the Safdie brothers, Yorgos Lanthimos, and Greta Gerwig.

A24 are now the dominating force in ‘independent’ cinema, building a stellar reputation from their successful and unique horror movies, comedies, and dramas. The studio’s success reached its peak (so far) when Everything Everywhere All at Once – written and directed by Dan Kwan and Daniel Schneinert (the Daniels) – won 7 Oscars in 2013, shocking the world with its Best Picture win. A24 still has a large foothold in the horror market. The X franchise, directed by Ti West and starring Mia Goth, and Ari Aster’s increasingly unnerving filmography have been lorded by critics and lapped up by audiences.

A24 is looking to grow further in the coming years, and move towards more ‘mainstream’ productions. In 2023, TheWrap reported that A24 has expanded its strategy, and is reportedly on the hunt for “action and big IP projects.” The report even suggests that the studio has been “chasing the rights to the Halloween franchise.” Everything Everywhere All at Once and Civil War are certainly A24’s biggest action-focused movies to date, but this trend is expected to continue – especially considering Benny Safdie’s A24 biopic about MMA legend Mark Kerr will star Dwayne Johnson.

Check out Movieweb’s interview with the cast of Civil War below.