Tuner, Black Bear’s fourth release since launching a domestic distribution arm last summer, had a nice $102k opening at 4 theaters in NY and LA and is eyeing $122k for the four-day holiday weekend including. Memorial Day Monday.
The distributor plans a moderate national expansion to about 375 screens (exact number still TBD) next week to let world of mouth percolate for the popular TIFF-premiering heist thriller by Daniel Roher about a piano tuner (up-and-comer Leo Woodall) who strays into safecracking.
Dustin Hoffman also stars, a hook for older demos (who frequently lament there’s not much they want to see) but also attracting the younger crowd that’s been driving a welcome box office resurgence. Many distribution executives are calling this moment the best since Covid with an abundance of films and many doing business.
Teddy Schwarzman’s indie studio hired longtime CAA Media Finance co-head Benjamin Kramer to oversee Black Bear’s U.S. distribution operation. David Spitz, formerly of Lionsgate, was named head of U.S. theatrical shortly after the division was announced in July of 2025. Tuner (94% with critics on Rotten Tomatoes) reflects Black Bear’s plans for a mixed slate of up to 12 films a year with critically acclaimed, filmmaker-driven fare and broad action and genre titles.
Releases to date include Christy starring Sydney Sweeney ($1.9 million domestic); Jason Statham in Shelter ($12.8 million); and Guy Ritchie’s In The Grey ($4.1 million). Upcoming, SXSW crowd-pleaser The Rivals of Amziah King starring Matthew McConaughey in limited release mid-August, followed by wide releases Spa Weekend later in the month and Guy Ritche’s Wife & Dog in October.
Releases will be a mix of Black Bear Pictures’ and third-party projects, the company has said. It already distributes theatrically in Canada (through subsidiary Elevation Pictures), the U.K., and Ireland.
Neon’s I Love Boosters directed by Boots Riley grossed an estimated $3.72 million from 1,750 locations – putting it at no. 8 for the 3-day weekend. The distributor is projecting $4.57 million over the four-day holiday frame.
The comedy crime caper follows a crew of professional shoplifters (Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige) who target a cutthroat fashion maven (Demi Moore).
IFC Films Entertainment Group’s supernatural body horror Saccharine saw $53k for the three days and $68k for the four on 385 screens. The film by Natalie Erika James premiered at Sundance’s Midnight section to strong reviews and the distributor said it wanted to elevate director and film in a busy box office period ahead of its premiere on popular streaming platform Shudder. IFC and Shudder worked with James on her well-received first film, Relic, a 2020 Sundance premiere released directly to the streamer.
It’s been done already but must note Obsession from Focus Features, which is defying norms with a nearly 30% jump in week 2 to a $22.4 million gross at 2,655 theaters. The SXSW-premiering pic’s estimated four-day gross is $28.2 million. That’s a cume of $58.5 million for the debut feature from Curry Barker, which is stands at 95% with audiences on Rotten Tomatoes (and 95% with RT critics as well, a difficult feat).
After breaking the mysterious “One Wish Willow” stick – an impulse buy at a gift store cash register – to win his crush’s heart, a hopeless romantic finds himself getting exactly what he asked for but discovers some desires come with a sinister price.
