Dylan O’Brien Takes on Island Survival in ‘Send Help’

The January box office is heating up with a fascinating final weekend of releases. While a recent storm impacted over 400 theaters, several films are vying for the top spot, with 20th Century Studios’ Send Help, starring Dylan O’Brien, leading the charge.

‘Send Help’ Projected to Dominate

Send Help is predicted to earn over $15 million domestically across 3,400 theaters, with an additional $10 million+ internationally, totaling a global debut of around $25 million. This could potentially dethrone Avatar: The Way of Water, which has held the top global weekend spot for the past six weeks. The film boasts a strong 94% certified fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, suggesting positive word-of-mouth will contribute to its success.

The film centers around a tech boss (Dylan O’Brien) stranded on a deserted island with his office accountant (Rachel McAdams). The premise highlights a dynamic where the initially disrespectful boss quickly learns to rely on the accountant’s surprisingly adept survival skills.

Global Rollout and Comparisons

Send Help is launching with an 80% international footprint, including screenings in the UK (next week) and France (two weeks later). The film premiered Wednesday in Belgium, Indonesia, Korea, and the Philippines, followed by Argentina, Australia, and several other countries on Thursday. Analysts are drawing comparisons to films like Don’t Breathe ($16M international debut) and Evil Dead Rise ($17M foreign opening) as benchmarks for potential performance. Early previews, despite the storm’s impact, have shown promising results in areas like California.

Other Notable Releases

Alongside Send Help, several other films are entering the fray:

• Iron Lung: YouTuber Markiplier’s independently financed and distributed film, based on the video game, is projected to open with $9M-$10M after generating $6M in presales.
• Shelter: Jason Statham’s action thriller is expected to bring in $5M-$7M.
• Melania: Amazon MGM Studios’ documentary about Melania Trump is gaining traction, potentially becoming the highest-grossing documentary in a decade, with a projected $5M+ debut.
• Infinite Icon: A Visual Memoir: A documentary about Paris Hilton is also entering the market.

The box office landscape remains competitive, but Send Help, with Dylan O’Brien at the helm, is poised to make a significant splash. The film’s unique premise and positive critical reception suggest a strong performance in the coming weeks.