Buddy shocks crowds, Runner soars to $6.7M – indie box office boom!

## Background & Context

This weekend, the domestic box office saw independent releases dominate the top ten, with five indie titles occupying the upper half of the chart.

The horror‑comedy *Buddy*, distributed by Roadside Attractions and Saban Films, slipped 39 % from its opening weekend but still managed a $3.5 million gross on 1,719 screens, placing it sixth overall. Meanwhile newcomer *Runner*, produced by Angel Studios, posted a $6.67 million take on 2,568 screens, climbing to fourth place.

Other indie releases also performed strongly this weekend. Neon’s South Korean monster film *Hope* earned $3.3 million on 1,560 screens, earning its eighth spot. Andrew Garfield‑starring *The Uprising*, a Focus Features release, pulled in $3.2 million at 2,068 locations to land ninth on the chart.

Limited‑run titles added to the mix. *If I Go Will They Miss Me*, starring Danielle Brooks, opened exclusively at AMC’s Century City in Los Angeles and pulled $42.25 k from a single theater, prompting additional showtimes to meet demand.

Documentary *American Doctor* surpassed $400 k in week five on 65 screens, while Disney’s event film *Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger* drew $1.435 million across 1,225 theaters.

## Box Office Highlights

Buddy’s third‑week run saw a $3.5 million gross on 1,719 screens, a figure that places it sixth among all domestic releases for the weekend. This positions the film above several major studio titles and cements its place as an indie standout.

Its cumulative earnings total $21.2 million, a record for Roadside Attractions since COVID‑19 restrictions began.

Runner’s domestic haul of $6.67 million on 2,568 screens positioned it fourth, making it the highest‑grossing indie release of the weekend.

The film’s broader reach across 2,568 locations helped solidify its appeal to a wide audience. *Hope* and *The Uprising* followed with $3.3 million and $3.2 million respectively, securing eighth and ninth spots.

Limited releases also contributed notable figures. *If I Go Will They Miss Me* earned $42.25 k in a single AMC theater, an impressive opening for a solo engagement that ranks as the second‑highest opening of the year for such releases, after *Maddie’s Secret* at $58 k. *American Doctor*’s $400 k total and *Oasis*’s $1.435 million event gross demonstrate the diversity of revenue streams within the current box office landscape.

## Industry Reactions

Roadside Attractions reported that audiences are returning repeatedly to *Buddy*, with fans . The tattoo shop announced a free meet‑up yesterday, offering a chance for fans to get a custom design and celebrate the film’s success.

Angel Studios’ leadership highlighted *Runner*’s CinemaScore achievement as a milestone, noting the film’s performance as “significant theatrical milestone” for the company. They also praised the film’s engagement with younger viewers, leveraging its online presence.

Distributors of *Hope* and *The Uprising* noted their films' steady performances amid a crowded market.

Coyote vs. Acme, a Ketchup Entertainment production, topped the chart at fifth place with $6.23 million on 3,355 screens, adding to the diversity of titles in the top ten. A24’s *Tony* and *Onslaught* continue to perform modestly, while Prathyangira Cinemas’ *Hanuman Ansh* debuted to $740 k from 200 locations.

The sustained success of *Buddy* and *Runner* illustrates that niche films can compete with larger studio titles when they connect with dedicated fanbases. The current weekend’s numbers suggest a growing appetite for independent cinema among domestic audiences.