Insights

In a surprising turn of events at the box office, Cate Blanchett's new sci-fi comedy *Borderlands* has been overshadowed by the re-release of the animated film *Coraline*, which originally debuted 15 years ago. Despite featuring an all-star cast including Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Jamie Lee Curtis, *Borderlands* has struggled to find its footing, grossing only $18.6 million worldwide since its release on August 9, according to Box Office Mojo. *Coraline*, directed by Henry Selick and based on Neil Gaiman's beloved children's novel, has seen a resurgence in popularity during its limited 15th anniversary revival run, which began on August 15. The film, which features Dakota Fanning as the voice of the titular character, has earned over $20 million during its re-release, with $12.5 million coming from the U.S. and $7.6 million from international markets. Its success has prompted an extension of its run, now set to conclude on August 29. In stark contrast, *Borderlands* has struggled to attract audiences, earning just $2.4 million domestically over the weekend of August 16-18. The film's production budget is estimated at $115 million, making its current earnings a significant disappointment. Directed by Eli Roth, known for his role in *Inglourious Basterds*, *Borderlands* has not resonated with viewers as anticipated. As *Coraline* continues to thrive, the box office performance of *Borderlands* raises questions about audience preferences and the challenges of adapting popular video game franchises into successful films.