Romance and Terror Dominate the Box Office: ‘Reminders of Him’ and ‘Undertone’ Defy Expectations

‘Reminders of Him’ and ‘Undertone’ Rewrite Box Office Rules

Two contrasting films are stealing the spotlight at the U.S. box office, sidestepping even the attention-commanding Oscars telecast and going toe-to-toe with a powerful Pixar contender. ‘Reminders of Him’, an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s beloved novel, and ‘Undertone’, a chilling new horror feature from A24, both unleashed on the same weekend, have stunned analysts with debut numbers soaring well above projections.

A Record-Setting Romance for Modern Audiences

‘Reminders of Him’ has quickly become the talk of the season for fans of moving romantic dramas. Directed by Vanessa Caswill and anchored by heartfelt performances from Maika Monroe and Tyriq Withers, the film follows Kenna, a woman seeking to rebuild bonds with her daughter against emotional odds and community reluctance. The chemistry between Monroe’s Kenna and Withers’ Ledger, a former NFL player turned bartender, brings a layered, contemporary touch to the familiar themes of love, regret, and second chances.

The film’s resonance with audiences is unmistakable: its Rotten Tomatoes Popcornmeter score is a stellar 89%, far outpacing many of its genre peers. The much-discussed CinemaScore of B further signals genuine audience enthusiasm, hinting at the sort of word-of-mouth momentum that drives titles to long-term success. It’s also noteworthy for securing the best critical reception ever for a Colleen Hoover adaptation, establishing a new high bar for future book-to-screen romances.

‘Undertone’: A24 Delivers Horror on a Microscopic Budget

If romance is scaling new heights, horror is proving once again why it’s the box office’s most reliable wild card. ‘Undertone’, directed by Ian Tuason, is a testament to focused, creative filmmaking on a shoestring. With a reported production budget of just $500,000, this unnerving descent into the supernatural — revolving around a podcaster who discovers a cache of possibly cursed audio recordings — is already a financial winner.

By its opening Sunday, ‘Undertone’ has grossed over 20 times its production cost, making it one of A24’s most savvy releases. The cast, led by Nina Kiri, delivers palpable dread in a tight 84-minute runtime, and the film’s unique concept has captured the interest of horror aficionados and podcast enthusiasts alike. While its 54% Popcornmeter and CinemaScore of C are more divisive, the buzz has translated into a remarkably potent box office debut.

Pushing Past Competitive Pressures

Both movies had to fight for air alongside the sophomore weekend of ‘Hoppers’ — hailed as Pixar’s strongest original film launch since 2017 — yet both managed to outperform their original industry estimates, which had been in the $8 million range. ‘Reminders of Him’ looks set to claim the runner-up spot with a powerful $19–20 million three-day total, while ‘Undertone’ lands confidently in third place at $10 million.

This marks a rare repeat: for the second straight weekend, two new titles have broken into the domestic box office Top 3, an occurrence not seen since mid-February. The ongoing success points to a vibrancy in theatrical audiences — especially for films that offer strong emotional appeal or inventive genre thrills.

Financial Realities in Today’s Box Office

‘Undertone’ is already solidly in the black, but ‘Reminders of Him’ faces a more typical uphill climb, with a production cost reportedly hovering at $25 million. Standard industry wisdom suggests that to break even, a movie needs to recoup at least two and a half times its budget, meaning this emotional drama must continue building its audience well past its opening weekend. However, early enthusiasm from both critics and viewers hints that its story could have the staying power it needs.

With fresh creative voices, compelling star turns, and cinematic approaches that speak directly to both core fans and wider audiences, ‘Reminders of Him’ and ‘Undertone’ are each showing there’s still room for surprise hits at the cinema. As 2026 unfolds, movie lovers can look forward to more unexpected box office shakeups—and to storytelling that dares to reach for the heart, or for the jugular.