Summer blockbuster season is officially in full throttle—and this holiday weekend, it’s a dinosaur-sized debut versus a high-octane holdover. Universal and Amblin’s Jurassic World Rebirth stomped into theaters with authority, while F1 managed to maintain momentum despite a sharp second-week drop. Together, these films are redefining the July 4th box office landscape with a potent mix of nostalgia, spectacle, and sheer star power.
Rebirth Rules A Massive Return To Form For The Jurassic Franchise
With a $91.5 million three-day domestic debut and $147.3 million over the five-day Independence Day weekend, Jurassic World Rebirth delivers one of the strongest July 4th openings in recent memory. Directed by Gareth Edwards, the latest entry in the prehistoric saga has not only lived up to franchise expectations—it’s exceeded most post-pandemic projections.
Key Stats From Rebirth’s Explosive Opening:
- Global debut — $318.3 million from 82 territories
- International haul — $171 million
- Dolby Cinema — $8 million—its best July 4 weekend ever
- AMC Disney Springs (Orlando)—Highest-grossing single location with $299,000
- Saturday peak— $36.7M—the biggest single-day total since its Wednesday launch
This debut puts Rebirth just behind the franchise’s original juggernaut, Jurassic World ($208M), and comfortably ahead of Jurassic World Dominion ($145M) and Fallen Kingdom ($148M) in terms of five-day performance. Among July 4 holiday releases, it now ranks third all-time for Wednesday–Sunday openings, trailing only Transformers: Dark of the Moon ($157.1M) and Spider-Man 2 ($152.4M).
Backed by a $180 million production budget and a $150 million media blitz involving Jeep, Dr. Pepper, Quaker, and M&Ms, the marketing for Rebirth matched the movie’s larger-than-life scale. According to PostTrak data, the film attracted a majority-male crowd (61%), with 51% of attendees aged 18–34 and a strong Latino and Hispanic turnout (26%). Interestingly, half of all admissions occurred before 5 p.m., showcasing strong matinee traffic.
F1 Still In The Race
In its second lap around the box office track, F1: The Movie earned $26 million over the weekend, bringing its domestic total to $109.5 million. While that reflects a notable drop from its $57 million opening, the film continues to prove its staying power. Directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick) and starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris, F1 remains a compelling theatrical option for adult audiences and racing enthusiasts.
While Rebirth is clearly commanding attention, F1 has maintained a solid pace in a crowded field—especially impressive considering it’s an original IP competing against one of the most bankable franchises in history.
Final Lap
What does this all mean for the broader cinematic landscape? For Universal and Amblin, Rebirth confirms that there’s still major interest in the Jurassic universe, especially when paired with a fresh directorial vision and strategic marketing. For Warner Bros. and Apple Studios: F1 proves that original stories can still find traction—particularly those grounded in real-world adrenaline and prestige performances. And for audiences, It’s a golden age of genre variety at the box office. Whether you’re in the mood for giant reptiles or Formula One grit, theaters are delivering the goods.
Nonetheless, Jurassic World Rebirth is not just another successful sequel—it’s a blockbuster reminder that franchises still reign supreme. But F1 continues to show that there’s room on the track for original storytelling with cinematic horsepower. As summer heats up, this box office battle is far from over.
