A detailed report on the successful openings of Neon’s ‘Fjord’ and the expansion of ‘Naza’, highlighting their box office performances and critical receptions.
New York, NY – Neon’s latest release, ‘Fjord’, has made a significant impact at the box office, grossing $124,000 across four screens in New York and Los Angeles during its opening weekend. The film, directed by Cristian Mungiu, who is celebrated for his work at the Cannes Film Festival, has generated considerable buzz, particularly following its Palme d’Or win this year. This marks Mungiu’s second Palme d’Or and Neon’s seventh consecutive win at Cannes, establishing the distributor as a leading force in independent cinema.
‘Fjord’ follows the story of a devout Romanian Norwegian couple, the Gheorghius, who relocate to a remote village in a fjord, where they form close ties with their neighbors, the Halbergs. Tensions arise when their adolescent child, Elia, arrives at school with bruises, prompting the community to question the Gheorghius family’s unconventional educational methods. The film has also received the prestigious FIPRESCI Award at Cannes and is Romania’s entry for the Academy Award for Best International Feature. It currently holds a 90% ‘Certified Fresh’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Box Office Comparisons and Future Plans
Neon is optimistic about ‘Fjord’s’ performance as it surpassed the opening of the distributor’s previous title, ‘Anatomy of a Fall’, the winner of this year’s Palme d’Or, and only slightly lagged behind ‘Sentimental Value’, which won the Grand Prix at Cannes in 2025. The distributor plans to roll out ‘Fjord’ over the next month, backed by an ambitious multi-category awards campaign aimed at maximizing its visibility during the awards season.
Success of ‘Naza’
Meanwhile, the documentary ‘Naza’, directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, has also seen a successful expansion following its initial release. The film, which has garnered the support of The Guardian and MK2, is set to surpass $500,000 in total gross by Monday, following a two-week expansion. After earning $125,000 during its first eight days at the IFC Center in New York, ‘Naza’ broadened its reach to 85 engagements across more than 30 markets, accumulating an estimated $298,000 over the three-day weekend and approximately $378,200 over the four-day period, bringing its cumulative gross to $504,074.
‘Naza’ features interviews with Israeli soldiers and intelligence officers—whose identities are concealed—discussing the civilian death toll in Gaza. The film has resonated with audiences and critics alike, earning a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Its continued rollout is expected to sustain interest and engagement throughout October.
Other Releases and Their Performances
In addition to ‘Fjord’ and ‘Naza’, several other films have recently debuted or continued to screen in theaters. Chris Rock’s ‘Misty Green’, released by A24, opened on six screens in New York and Los Angeles, grossing $85,700 over the three-day weekend and $98,700 over the four-day weekend. This film, which follows the journey of a talented actress portrayed by Rosalind Eleazar as she navigates her career in Hollywood, has received positive reviews since its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
Bleecker Street’s documentary ‘Musk’, directed by Alex Gibney, is projected to earn approximately $70,000 over its first three days from four screens, achieving a per-theater average of $17,200. The nearly four-hour runtime may limit the number of available showtimes, which could impact its overall box office performance.
Additionally, ‘California Schemin’’, directed by James McAvoy and produced by Magenta Light Studios, opened with an estimated $18,700 across five locations in New York and Los Angeles. The narrative centers on two Scottish boys who successfully deceived the music industry by impersonating a well-known Californian rap duo.
Julia Loktev’s documentary ‘My Undesirable Friends Part II – Exile’ premiered exclusively at New York’s Film Forum, following the success of its predecessor, which was shortlisted for the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. The new installment is estimated to have grossed $7,500, largely due to its lengthy six-hour runtime and limited seating capacity. After its New York debut, it is set to expand to Los Angeles on October 16 and continue its rollout across the country.
Holdover Performances
Among holdover films, ‘If I Go Will They Miss Me’ is estimated to gross $29,600 over 42 screens, bringing its total earnings to approximately $980,700 after five weeks in theaters. Directed by Walter Thompson-Hernandez, the film stars Danielle Brooks and J. Alphonse Nicholson and has received a ‘Certified Fresh’ rating of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating strong audience approval.
Notable Releases and Rankings
Fathom Entertainment’s re-release of Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ in celebration of its 20th anniversary ranked 11th at the domestic box office, grossing an estimated $1.66 million from 1,168 locations. The film, which explores themes of innocence and brutality in postwar Spain, has maintained its status as a classic since its original release in 2006.
Trafalgar Releasing’s concert film ‘Queen Budapest’, which captures Queen’s legendary 1986 performance in Budapest during the Magic Tour, debuted at number 16, earning approximately $681,000 from 312 locations. This restored film showcases iconic performances from Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon, further cementing the band’s enduring legacy.
