Somewhat surprisingly, 20th Century Studios’The First Omenout-performed fellow debutante, Universal’sMonkey Man, at the global box office in its first weekend of release. This is despite the more eye-catching marketing campaign thatMonkey Manreceived thanks to producerJordan Peele’s involvement. ButThe First Omen, which was originally destined for streaming,delivered modest results at the global box office, grossing $8.4 million domestically and another $9 million from overseas territories, for acumulative global debut of $17 million.
Monkey Man, by comparison, grossed $10 million domestically anda little over $2 million from international markets. A prequel tothe classic 1976 horror filmdirected byRichard Donner,The First Omenwas produced on a reported budget of $30 million, which means that it still has a ways to go before it can be counted as a success. Just recently, fellow nun-based horror titleImmaculate, starringSydney Sweeney, rode a wave of buzz on its way tonearly $20 million worldwideagainst a reported budget of less than $10 million. For context,Immaculateopened to $5 million domestically.
Reviews forThe First Omenhave been solid. Directed by debutanteArkasha Stevenson, the film currently sits at a “fresh” 78% score on the aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes. Collider’sRoss Bonaimewrote in his reviewthat the movie offers “a smart handling of horror with imagery that won’t soon leave your mind.” Audience reception, however, hasn’t been as positive.The First Omenhas a so-so 64% audience approval rating on RT, after having earned a worrying C CinemaScore from opening day crowds. While this is par for the course for most horror titles, it’s still a key reason why they’re so front-loaded.
This Is the Second Attempt to Reboot the ‘Omen’ Franchise
The Omen franchise began in 1976, just a few years afterWilliam Friedkin’sThe Exorcistbroke box office records worldwide. Coincidentally, both franchises have received reboots within 12 months of each other. But whileThe Exorcist: Believer’s lukewarm performance broughtplans for a new trilogy to a screeching halt, it’s too early to tell whereThe Omenseries stands. The franchise’s top-grossing entry remains the 2006 remake, which made $110 million globally but received poor reviews. The first film, starringGregory PeckandLee Remick, grossed nearly $80 million globally.
StarringNell Tiger Free,Tawfeek Barhom,Sônia Braga,Ralph Ineson, andBill Nighy,The First Omenis the sixth installment in the franchise. It follows the harrowing journey of a young American woman who goes to Italy and uncovers a conspiracyto birth the Antichrist. you may watch the movie in theaters, and stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
The First Omen
A young American woman is sent to Rome to begin a life of service to the church, but encounters a darkness that causes her to question her faith and uncovers a terrifying conspiracy that hopes to bring about the birth of evil incarnate.
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