The strong preview performance for "Primetime" positions the A24 release for an opening weekend in the range of $16 million to $20 million. With a production budget of $15 million, a debut within this estimate would set the film firmly on a path to profitability, a significant win for the independent studio known for its distinctive projects.
Robert Pattinson's portrayal of Chris Hansen, the former host of "To Catch a Predator," has garnered considerable attention and critical praise. Industry observers note that Pattinson is receiving some of the best reviews of his career for tackling the role in this exposé of reality TV's darker side. However, the real-life Chris Hansen has publicly criticized the film, reportedly calling it "identity theft" without having seen the movie itself.
"Primetime"'s solid start also puts it ahead of other notable releases. Brad Pitt's survival drama, "Heart of the Beast," for instance, took in $2 million in its own Thursday previews. While "Heart of the Beast" carries a much larger budget of $82 million, its distributor, Paramount, is reportedly exercising more conservative marketing strategies under its new ownership since 2025, hoping for sustained word-of-mouth to drive its performance among older audiences.
Despite its strong showing, "Primetime" is not expected to claim the top spot at the weekend box office. That honor is likely to go to either Zach Cregger’s "Resident Evil" reboot, projected to earn between $24 million and $26 million, or "Avengers: Endgame Encore." The re-release of the 2019 superhero blockbuster pulled in an impressive $3.8 million in Thursday previews and is forecast to secure $25 million to $28 million over the weekend.
For A24, "Primetime"'s success continues a remarkable year at the box office. The studio celebrated its biggest hit ever this past summer with "Backrooms," and its overall performance has seen it outgross major players like Paramount and Warner Bros. With $237 million in summer ticket sales, A24 surpassed Paramount's $192 million and Warner Bros.' $165 million, underscoring its growing influence and consistent ability to deliver commercially successful, critically acclaimed films.
Pattinson's compelling performance has also sparked early conversations about his potential inclusion in this year's crowded Oscar race. He faces stiff competition from a field that includes acclaimed actors like Matt Damon for "The Odyssey," John Malkovich in "Wild Horse Nine," Ryan Gosling for "Project Hail Mary," and John Turturro in "The Only Living Pickpocket in New York." Regardless of awards season outcomes, "Primetime" has certainly made a powerful first impression.