A24's 'The Drama' Surpasses Expectations: A Romantic Comedy on the Rise

A24's latest romantic comedy, 'The Drama,' is making headlines as it surpasses 'Materialists' in domestic earnings. With strong performances from Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, the film has shown impressive staying power at the box office, earning $1.5 million on its third Friday alone. While it has yet to match the global total of 'Materialists,' which stands at $107.9 million, 'The Drama' has already grossed $78.5 million worldwide. As the film continues to gain momentum, it is poised to potentially outpace its predecessor's earnings in the coming weeks.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 20, 2026, 00:19 IST

Box Office Success of 'The Drama'

A24's newest romantic comedy, 'The Drama,' is making waves at the box office, recently overtaking 'Materialists,' which featured Dakota Johnson and Chris Evans, to become one of the studio's top five domestic earners. Despite a reduction of over 500 theaters on Thursday, the film has shown remarkable resilience in the North American market. On Friday, it held onto the #3 spot, narrowly losing out to Lee Cronin’s 'The Mummy.'

The film's success is largely due to the captivating performances of Zendaya and Robert Pattinson. Their undeniable chemistry has resonated with audiences, and it's anticipated that this dynamic will extend into their future collaborations, including 'Dune 3' and 'The Odyssey.' This romantic comedy not only highlights their on-screen rapport but also sets the groundwork for their upcoming projects.

As per the latest statistics from Box Office Mojo, 'The Drama' garnered $1.5 million on its third Friday, ranking as the third highest-grossing film among A24 releases for that day. It follows behind 'Marty Supreme,' which earned $2.3 million, and 'Civil War,' with $1.9 million. Although it experienced a 46.6% decline from the previous Friday, the film has successfully amassed a domestic total of $36.3 million after 15 days in theaters.

'Materialists,' which debuted in 2025 and starred Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans, currently ranks as the eighth highest-grossing A24 film in North America. Produced with a budget of $20 million, it was the first independent film of 2025 to exceed the $100 million mark globally, achieving a domestic total of $36.5 million. While 'The Drama' has surpassed 'Materialists' in domestic earnings, the final figures for the latter's performance are still awaited.

Although 'The Drama' has not yet reached the worldwide total of 'Materialists,' which stands at $107.9 million, it has already earned $78.5 million globally, with numbers continuing to climb. Given its current trajectory, there is a strong possibility that 'The Drama' could eventually exceed the global earnings of its predecessor, making it a film to keep an eye on in the upcoming weeks.