Twisters blows away box office with huge third-best debut

Twisters, the much-anticipated sequel to the classic 1996 disaster movie Twister, has achieved a massive commercial success, debuting with $80.5 million in North America. This makes it the third biggest opening weekend of the year, trailing only Inside Out 2 and Dune: Part Two. The film also set a new record for the highest-grossing opening for a natural disaster movie, surpassing The Day After Tomorrow.

Directed by Lee Isaac Chung, Twisters has garnered an additional $42.7 million from international markets, bringing its global total to $123.2 million against a budget of $155 million. The film stars Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, and Anthony Ramos as storm chasers navigating the tornado-prone plains of Oklahoma.

Twisters opened in theaters on July 19 and has received generally positive reviews, with IGN rating it 8 out of 10, praising its emotional engagement despite being less visually appealing than its predecessor. Universal has yet to announce the streaming release date, but the film is expected to appear on Peacock and later on Prime Video.

Twisters premiered in theaters on July 19, 2024. A streaming release date has yet to be announced, but it will eventually be available on Peacock, followed by Prime Video.

The original Twister, released in 1996, was a landmark disaster film featuring Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt as storm chasers. Directed by Jan de Bont and written by Michael Crichton, the film grossed $494 million worldwide on a $92 million budget. It became known for its groundbreaking special effects and intense tornado sequences, setting a high bar for disaster movies. The sequel continues the legacy with a new ensemble cast and modern cinematic techniques.