Robert Pattinson’s ‘Primetime’ Experiences Significant Second-Week Drop but Remains a Win for A24

voice film logo squareArthur S. Poe
Robert Pattinson primetime 4
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Robert Pattinson has had a busy 2026, and ‘Primetime’ is the kind of bold, adult-oriented project that A24 is known for. It premiered in competition at the Venice Film Festival on September 5, earning a lengthy standing ovation. Pattinson received strong reviews and sparked early Oscar buzz.

The film dramatizes the controversial hidden-camera series ‘To Catch a Predator’ and features Pattinson as its host, Chris Hansen. Directed by Lance Oppenheim in his narrative feature debut, the screenplay was penned by Ajon Singh, based on the 2007 ‘Esquire’ article ‘Tonight on Dateline This Man Will Die.’ The cast also includes Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, Alex Winter, and Phoebe Bridgers.

The challenging subject matter has proven to be a tough sell, as reflected in the second-weekend box office numbers. Analyst Luiz Fernando notes that Pattinson is unlikely to see a hold as strong as Brad Pitt’s, given the film’s theme, but he doesn’t need one. The R-rated festival favorite grossed a solid $2.5 million on its second Friday, marking a 70.8% drop from its opening day.

Fernando contextualized that drop by comparing it to other films. ‘Napoleon’ earned $2.2 million on its second Friday, down 74.7%, while ‘Mickey 17’ also earned $2.2 million, down 71.8%. ‘Civil War’ brought in $3.3 million, down 69.9%, and ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ made $2.7 million, down 71.5%. ‘The Drama’ earned $2.8 million, down 55.6%.

Currently, the film has a domestic total of $28.6 million and is projected to earn between $8 million and $9 million over its second three-day weekend, reflecting a drop of 53% to 58%. More importantly for A24, Fernando points out that the studio only paid $14.5 million for the distribution rights. He believes the film will more than recoup that investment, both financially and in terms of awards-season potential.

The opening weekend has already placed it in the record books. ‘Primetime’ debuted with $19.2 million, making it the third-best opening ever for A24, surpassing the 2025 hit ‘Marty Supreme’ at $15.7 million. According to Variety, it trails only ‘Backrooms’ at $81.4 million and ‘Civil War’ at $25.5 million.

Screenshot 2026 09 26 at 09 55 03 Primetime Rotten Tomatoes 1

The film’s reception has been positive, holding a Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score in the low 90s, while audiences gave it a B CinemaScore. Critics have particularly praised Pattinson, with some calling his performance one of his most compelling.

However, not everyone is pleased. Hansen has publicly criticized the film, stating he has not seen it after refusing to sign a nondisclosure agreement for a screening. He described the fictionalized portrayal as an insult, and reviews have noted that the film depicts his work as prioritizing ratings over public good.

This controversy may contribute to the film’s intriguing audience draw. A significant second-weekend drop is typical for such dark, adult dramas, and A24 is likely satisfied with results that exceed most of its competitors. If the Oscar conversation surrounding Pattinson continues to grow, the film should maintain its momentum long after the weekend numbers decline.

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