A24's 'Primetime' Earns $2.7 Million in Previews

A24's "Primetime" earned $2.7 million in Thursday previews, putting the reality-TV exposé on track for an opening between $16 million and $20 million.

The film stars Robert Pattinson as Chris Hansen, the host of "To Catch a Predator." It cost $15 million to produce, so an opening in that range would position it for a profitable theatrical run.

Pattinson is also winning a battle of A-list actors at the box office. Brad Pitt's survival drama "Heart of the Beast" earned $2 million in previews. That film carries a much larger $82 million budget, and its backers are counting on older audiences — who do not always turn out on opening weekend — plus strong word-of-mouth to sustain it.

"Heart of the Beast" is a Paramount release, and the studio has become notably more cautious about marketing spending since David Ellison acquired it in 2025.

Neither new release is expected to top the weekend chart. Zach Cregger's "Resident Evil" reboot should bring in $24 million to $26 million in its second weekend. "Avengers: Endgame Encore," a re-release of the 2019 superhero blockbuster, is projected to earn $25 million to $28 million after racking up $3.8 million in Thursday previews.

"Primetime" extends a remarkable stretch for A24. The indie studio released the biggest hit in its history this summer with "Backrooms," and outgrossed both Paramount and Warner Bros. over blockbuster season. A24 finished the summer with $237 million in ticket sales, against Paramount's $192 million and Warner Bros.' $165 million.

Pattinson has received some of the best reviews of his career for the role. Hansen, however, has slammed the movie sight unseen, calling it "identity theft."

Whether Pattinson can break into this year's Oscar race remains uncertain. The best-actor field already includes Matt Damon ("The Odyssey"), John Malkovich ("Wild Horse Nine"), Ryan Gosling ("Project Hail Mary"), and John Turturro ("The Only Living Pickpocket in New York").

If "Primetime" lands within its projected range, A24 will close the year with further evidence that its low-budget, high-concept formula can compete with studio tentpoles.