A24 has done it again — quietly, confidently, without a superhero in sight. The Drama, starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson as a couple whose perfect engagement begins to unravel under the weight of hidden secrets, has crossed USD 22 million at the US box office in its first seven days. For a mid-budget R-rated romantic comedy, that’s a very encouraging start — and the second weekend could be the one that defines its entire theatrical journey.
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Zendaya Key Box Office Numbers
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Film | The Drama |
| Studio | A24 |
| Director | Kristoffer Borgli |
| Production Budget | USD 28 million |
| US Cume (7 Days) | USD 22.1 million |
| Day 7 (Thursday) | USD 1.6 million |
| Day 7 Drop vs Wednesday | -8% |
| A24 Thursday Rank | 3rd best ever |
How Good Is This, Really?
Context matters. The Drama recorded a better first Thursday than Zendaya’s own previous film Challengers (USD 1.4M). Among all A24 releases, it ranks as the third-best first Thursday in the studio’s history — behind only Marty Supreme (USD 4.5M) and just level with Civil War (USD 1.6M). That’s genuinely impressive company for a romantic comedy from an indie studio.
With a USD 28 million budget, the film needs to clear roughly USD 55–65 million at the US box office alone (accounting for marketing and distribution costs) to be considered a clean theatrical profit. At USD 22M after week one, with strong multiplier potential from a rom-com audience that tends to show up on weekends, profitability looks achievable — especially if word-of-mouth holds.
The Star Power Factor?
This is where it gets interesting. Zendaya is arguably the most bankable young actress in Hollywood right now — coming off Challengers, Dune: Part Two, and the Spider-Man franchise. Robert Pattinson brings his own cult following from The Batman, Tenet, and Good Time. Together, this pairing creates a unique crossover appeal that spans the prestige-cinema crowd and mainstream audiences alike.
The R-rating does narrow the potential ceiling, but A24’s track record with adult-oriented, critically-acclaimed content shows that demographic tends to support films for multiple weekends. Learn more about the film’s director Kristoffer Borgli — known for Dream Scenario — on Wikipedia.
What’s the Film About?
The Drama follows Emma Harwood and Charlie Thompson, a happily engaged couple counting down to their wedding day. When one of them stumbles upon unexpected secrets about the other, their trust, loyalty, and life plans are shaken to the core. The ensemble cast also includes Mamoudou Athie, Alana Haim, Hailey Gates, Zoë Winters, Anna Baryshnikov, and Michael Abbott Jr.
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FAQs
Q: How much has The Drama earned at the US box office so far?
A: As of Day 7, The Drama has grossed USD 22.1 million at the US box office — making it one of A24’s better-performing romantic comedies in its opening week.
Q: Will The Drama make a profit at the box office?
A: With a production budget of USD 28 million, the film needs strong legs across multiple weekends to turn a profit theatrically. The trajectory after its opening week is encouraging, but the second weekend will be the key indicator.
