Lionsgate U.K.'s "The Housemaid" has triumphantly returned to the peak of the U.K. and Ireland box office charts, demonstrating remarkable staying power. In its fifth weekend, the film accumulated an impressive £2 million, propelling its total earnings to £26.1 million. Close behind, Universal's "Hamnet" showcased its enduring appeal, securing the second spot for the third consecutive weekend with an additional $2.7 million, bringing its cumulative gross to $16.3 million. Meanwhile, Sony's "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple" descended slightly to third, adding $1.7 million in its second weekend for a total of $7.8 million.
The box office top ten also saw consistent performances from established titles and welcomed several new contenders. Walt Disney's "Avatar: Fire And Ash" maintained its presence in fourth place, contributing $1.5 million in its sixth weekend to reach a grand total of $54.4 million. Disney further solidified its position with "Zootopia 2" at number five, which garnered $1.4 million in its ninth weekend, pushing its overall earnings to $42.9 million. Following closely, Entertainment Film Distributors' "Marty Supreme" added $1.3 million, achieving a total cume of $18.4 million. The lower half of the top ten was invigorated by new entries: Vertigo Releasing's "Saipan" debuted at seventh with $1 million, Mubi's "No Other Choice" secured eighth place with $841,000, Sony's "Mercy" landed at ninth with $829,000, and Entertainment Film Distributors' "Return To Silent Hill" concluded the top ten with $785,000.
Looking ahead, the cinematic landscape is poised for a fresh wave of releases across various genres. Studiocanal is set to launch the family-oriented adventure "Kangaroo," directed by Kate Woods and featuring Ryan Corr and Deborah Mailman, on over 300 screens. Black Bear will also see a broad release for its action-thriller "Shelter," helmed by Ric Roman Waugh and starring Jason Statham alongside Bill Nighy and Naomi Ackie. Paramount will introduce the horror film "Primate" by Johannes Roberts, while Disney will add Bradley Cooper's "Is This Thing On?" to the marketplace. Picturehouse Entertainment plans to release Bryn Chainey's "Rabbit Trap," starring Dev Patel and Rosy McEwen, and BFI Distribution will re-release the classic 1962 British B-movie "Strongroom," directed by Vernon Sewell. The arthouse circuit will be further enriched by Altitude Film Distribution's "Nouvelle Vague" from Richard Linklater and Central City Media's Golden Horse-winning Cantonese animation "Another World." Bollywood continues its robust theatrical presence with Yash Raj Films' "Mardaani 3" and Zee Studios International's "Gandhi Talks," and the Amazon-backed FLOTUS documentary "Melania" is scheduled for release on over 100 screens, complementing event cinema offerings like MusicScreen's "Evgenij Onegin – Tchaikovsky" and CinemaLive's Paris Hilton documentary "Infinite Icon: A Visual Memoir."
The constant evolution of the film industry, marked by both the enduring success of captivating narratives and the emergence of fresh, diverse content, underscores the power of storytelling. These box office achievements reflect not just commercial success, but also the universal human desire for shared experiences, imagination, and connection through the art of cinema. Each film, whether a returning favorite or a bold new debut, contributes to a vibrant cultural tapestry, enriching lives and fostering a collective appreciation for creative expression.