A24 Figured Out How to Make Money Off of This Friendship Movie

After opening in six theaters last week, Andrew DeYoung’s feature-length directorial debut Friendship continues to make big wins in the independent film market and in the world of I Think You Should Leave references. It made over $444,000 in New York and Los Angeles during its opening weekend— which if you’re into angel numbers, 444 represents consistency, progress, and stability; all great signs for an independent, goofy movie. It’s becoming the best limited opening film of the year with an average of $75k per screen. This weekend, the A24 film is reaching 60 screens in the top ten film markets, including Tim Robinson’s hometown of Detroit, and the audiences are saying, “Give me some of that.” Just on Friday, Friendship’s box office has surpassed its earnings last week, with $642,000, and is estimated to rise to a three-day total of $1.4 million for this weekend alone. Next week, Friendship moves to a wide release across the country and will hopefully continue to cause some cosmic gumbo at the box office.

Do not spoil it! But Friendship follows Robinson’s character, Craig Waterman, as he tries to win over his new friend, neighbor, and overall very cool guy Austin Carmichael (Paul Rudd) in only a way that a Robinson character could: in uniquely branded business wear.

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