While Alien: Romulus is still far from the record held by Prometheus, this year’s box office phenomenon shows promising signs of taking the top spot.

In less than three weeks, Romulus has eclipsed the box office of almost all of its predecessors in the series, placing itself only behind Prometheus. The new chapter, directed by Fede Álvarez and starring Cailee Spaeny, Isabela Merced and David Jonsson, started its career with an excellent premiere of 42 million dollars, surpassed only by the 51 million grossed Prometheus in 2012.

A new competitor on the horizon

With a cumulative global total expected to reach $283.5 million by the close of its third weekend, including earnings from the Labor Day long weekend in U.S. theaters, Romulus has already surpassed the 240.9 million dollars of the 2017 delivery, but will reach and surpass the 403.3 million dollars Prometheus, Romulus Approximately $119.8 million remains to be added.

While Romulus has proven to be a formidable competitor, its performance compared to Prometheus suggests that it still needs significant momentum to overtake the franchise leader. Interestingly, however, Romulus has remained consistently in second place throughout its box office run, but is still slightly behind the numbers Prometheus reached its third weekend in the United States.

A critical and commercial triumph

Where Romulus has shone extraordinarily in both its critical reception. Both films have Certified Fresh ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, but Romulus leads with 80% compared to 73% of Prometheus. This critical success not only strengthens the film’s position at the box office, but also promises a more favorable return on investment. With a production budget of $80 million, significantly less than the film’s $130 million Prometheus, Romulus Not only has it surpassed its estimated break-even point of $200 million, but it is likely already generating significant profits.

This performance is particularly remarkable, considering that Romulus It became the second highest-grossing film in the series in record time. This is a remarkable achievement, reflecting not only Fede Álvarez’s ability to capture the essence of the Alien franchise, but also the film’s ability to attract and retain fans of the horror and science fiction genres.

Cailee Spaeny shines as a leading lady in a traditionally dark universe

In the new film of the sagaCailee Spaeny takes on the title role, taking the story to new heights with her compelling and dynamic performance. Her character delves into the darkest corners of the alien universe, exploring themes of survival and humanity in the face of unimaginable adversity. Spaeny, known for her ability to convey intensity and vulnerability, brings a new level of emotional depth that has resonated so well critics as with fans.

Compared to others protagonists series, such as Sigourney Weaver as Ripley, Spaeny not only pays homage to the franchise’s strong female legacy, but also introduces a fresh, contemporary perspective. This approach has helped Romulus stand out within the saga, offering a revitalized narrative that is both a return to roots and a bold exploration of new territory.

Although it is not yet clear whether Romulus will be able to dethrone Prometheus and having been crowned the number one Alien film, there is no doubt that its performance has exceeded expectations and revived interest in a series that has captivated global audiences for decades.