The Bride! ended Warner Bros.’ run of nine consecutive films opening at No. 1, but its weak debut is only part of the story: the film’s reviews were divisive, and published estimates of its costs differ. The Maggie Gyllenhaal-directed reimagining opened in North America on March 6, 2026, after international releases began March 4.
How much did The Bride! make on opening weekend?
In its March 8, 2026 report, the Associated Press put the film’s estimated North American opening at $7.3 million from 3,304 locations. AP reported an estimated $6.3 million internationally, for a $13.6 million worldwide opening. These are opening-weekend estimates, not lifetime grosses.
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The domestic and international figures show that the debut was weak in both markets. Warner Bros.’ Jeffrey Goldstein, who oversees domestic distribution, told AP: “Unfortunately, we came in light.”
What winning streak did the film end?
Variety described The Bride! as ending Warner Bros.’ streak of nine consecutive No. 1 hits. This is a chart-position record: it does not mean all nine films had the same level of profitability, budget, or critical reception. The available reporting identifies the length and outcome of the run but does not establish a common financial or review pattern across those releases.
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Why did the opening fall short?
The figures establish a disappointing opening, but they do not prove a single cause. The film arrived as an R-rated reimagining of the Bride of Frankenstein story, and its early reception was divided rather than broadly enthusiastic. Those factors provide context for the result, not a definitive explanation of audience decisions.
Critics and audiences were divided
Rotten Tomatoes’ editorial roundup characterized the first reviews as divisive, with critics differing in their assessments. In AP’s March 8 report, the film had a 59% Rotten Tomatoes score and a C+ CinemaScore. TheWrap’s earlier opening-weekend coverage reported a 60% Rotten Tomatoes score and the same C+ CinemaScore. Rotten Tomatoes percentages are dated snapshots and can change as reviews are added; neither score alone explains the box-office result.
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Reported costs vary by outlet
AP reported a production cost of around $80 million. Variety reported a $90 million production budget and a further reported $65 million marketing expense. The reported production figures differ, and the available accounts do not resolve the discrepancy. The marketing figure is separate from production and should not be treated as part of the production budget.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the opening numbers do—and do not—show
The $7.3 million domestic and $13.6 million worldwide amounts describe the opening weekend as estimated by AP on March 8, 2026. They are not final box-office totals. The sources cited here do not establish a later lifetime gross, so the opening should not be presented as the film’s complete theatrical performance.
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Warner Bros.’ Goldstein also described the studio’s slate as spanning genres and budget levels, with investment in talent, intellectual property, and original storytelling, adding that “sometimes things just don’t work out.” That statement frames the studio’s approach; it does not change what the opening figures measure.
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