MOVIE NEWS – Nicole Kidman’s Babygirl has defied expectations, becoming a standout hit during the holiday season and earning its place among A24’s most successful releases. Directed by Halina Reijn, the film tells the tale of Romy Mathis (Kidman), a high-powered executive who jeopardizes her career and family for a passionate affair with a younger intern, Samuel (Harris Dickinson). Amid the array of holiday film offerings, the erotic thriller has captured attention and gained momentum. Though it debuted in seventh place, which might have seemed lackluster to some, the film has steadily drawn more viewers over the past week.

Deadline reports that Babygirl is projected to bring in $4.6 million during its second weekend, covering January 3-5. This will push its total box office gross to $16.2 million, overtaking the $15.1 million total of 2024’s MaXXXine and securing its position as A24’s 19th highest-grossing domestic film, according to The Numbers. By the end of the weekend, Babygirl will be only $4 million shy of recouping its $20 million production budget. Additionally, the film has already surpassed the domestic earnings of Halina Reijn’s prior A24 release, Bodies Bodies Bodies, which brought in $11.4 million in 2022.

Babygirl’s Potential to Climb A24’s Charts

The full extent of Babygirl’s box office success remains uncertain, but its 3% increase in viewership from its opening weekend signals positive word-of-mouth and post-holiday engagement from audiences. Should it surpass its $20 million budget, it would outdo the domestic earnings of The Green Knight ($17.1 million), The Whale ($17.4 million), and The Farewell ($17.7 million), landing as A24’s 16th highest-grossing film in the U.S. The movie could come close to Priscilla ($20.8 million) and might even rival The Disaster Artist ($21.1 million). However, it remains to be seen whether it can top the studio’s 2024 surprise hit, We Live in Time, which earned $24.6 million and holds A24’s 13th spot domestically.

A24’s Steady Growth and Unique Strategy

Over the past decade, A24 has carved out a reputation among cinephiles as a distributor synonymous with quality. While its roots were more niche, the studio has seen increasing mainstream success. In 2024, A24 achieved its first true blockbuster with Civil War, which grossed $64 million domestically, becoming its second highest-grossing film to date. Other titles like Everything Everywhere All At Once, Talk to Me, Hereditary, The Iron Claw, and Uncut Gems have also bridged critical acclaim with commercial success—and Babygirl is now joining their ranks.

Halina Reijn, the director of Babygirl, has addressed one of the film’s more debated aspects: the notable age gap between Nicole Kidman’s and Harris Dickinson’s characters. Reijn defended the dynamic as essential to the story’s exploration of power and vulnerability.

Mid-budget films like Babygirl, led by major stars, demonstrate that there is still a demand for such stories, even in an industry increasingly dominated by massive blockbusters. While its $16 million gross might not rival that of Mufasa: The Lion King ($152 million), Babygirl doesn’t need to achieve such heights to turn a profit. Smaller-scale films carry less risk and provide steadier returns than high-budget flops.

As January progresses, the film could see further growth, with audiences catching up on missed holiday releases and potential Oscar buzz surrounding Nicole Kidman’s performance. A nomination for Best Actress at the 97th Academy Awards could give the film an additional boost in visibility and revenue.

Source: Deadline