Newsletters
A24's "Primetime" opened to $19.2 million at the North American box office this weekend, according to studio estimates. Becoming the third-best opening in the studio's history, behind "Backrooms" and "Civil War," for a film that cost just $15 million to produce.
Set in 2006, "Primetime" follows "To Catch a Predator" host Chris Hansen as he turns an undercover investigation into one of the decade's most controversial television phenomena.
Robert Pattinson stars as Hansen in the A24 drama, which is loosely based on the production and eventual cancellation of the "Dateline NBC" series.
Directed by Lance Oppenheim in his narrative feature debut, the film has a supporting cast that includes Skyler Gisondo, Merritt Wever, Phoebe Bridgers, Anna Faris, Alex Winter, Bokeem Woodbine and Tony Revolori, with former media executive Jeff Zucker appearing as himself.
"Primetime" premiered at the Venice Film Festival earlier this month, opened in 2,863 North American theaters and is Pattinson's third major release of 2026, after A24's "The Drama" and Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey."
The film’s strong commercial start was driven by overwhelming interest from younger moviegoers, with opening weekend crowds skewing heavily Gen Z.
Industry tracking data shows that 69% of ticket buyers were under the age of 30, underscoring A24’s ability to mobilize younger demographics for original theatrical titles. That youth-heavy turnout provided the momentum needed for the $15 million production to quickly clear its production budget out of the gate.
Director Lance Oppenheim revealed that the project was ignited in 2024 when his wife gifted him a custom Cameo video from Hansen to celebrate his film "Spermworld." Soon after, Oppenheim shared the clip during a chance meeting with Robert Pattinson.
"My wife got me a Cameo from Chris Hansen, knowing I was a huge fan. I showed it to Robert Pattinson when I met him randomly about another project," Oppenheim said. "And two weeks later, he was like, 'I just got this script.'"
That encounter quickly led to Pattinson signing on to star in the crime thriller.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
