Universal/DreamWorks’ “The Wild Robot” is showing signs of a lengthy run at the box office, riding significant walk-up traffic to an estimated $35 million opening from 3,982 theaters.
Projections for the Chris Sanders animated film were in the $24-30 million range, with Universal keeping its projections to a more conservative $20 million-plus while exhibitor sources told TheWrap they held out hope that the film could clear $30 million.
Those hopes are being realized as awareness for “The Wild Robot” is seeing a late surge in audience awareness amid its widespread critical acclaim. With this start and a 98% Rotten Tomatoes and A Cinemascore grade in its back pocket, this film has all it needs to leg out through an October where no major family film competition is set to come out.