Image Source: The New York Times
Verity reviews may be divided, but audiences are giving Amazon MGM Studios’ new thriller a powerful start at the North American box office. The Colleen Hoover adaptation is projected to earn approximately $32 million during its opening weekend, putting it well ahead of Tom Cruise’s expensive new film, Digger.
The early result is another reminder that critical response and commercial performance do not always move together. While critics have reacted negatively to Verity, Hoover’s readership appears to be translating into strong moviegoing interest. The R-rated suspense film is playing at 3,510 theaters and stars Dakota Johnson, Anne Hathaway and Josh Hartnett.
Verity Reviews Clash With a Powerful Box Office Debut
According to Deadline’s box office report, Verity earned an estimated $14.5 million on Friday, including $4.5 million from previews. The film is now tracking toward a $32 million domestic opening, with the possibility of finishing even higher if weekend audiences continue responding positively.
The preview figure is significant when compared with previous Colleen Hoover adaptations. It Ends with Us, released in 2024, collected $7 million in previews before opening to $50 million. Meanwhile, Reminders of Him generated $1.9 million in previews and eventually began with $17.9 million.
That places Verity between Hoover’s two recent adaptations in terms of advance interest, although its projected opening is substantially stronger than Reminders of Him. The new film also benefited from early-access screenings and preview shows that began at 2 p.m. on Thursday.
Why the Audience Is Overriding Verity Reviews
The response to Verity illustrates the growing influence of established fan communities. Colleen Hoover’s novels have developed a large and highly engaged readership, particularly among women who are familiar with the source material and eager to see its characters brought to the screen.
Previous Hoover adaptations have also demonstrated a gap between professional reviews and audience enthusiasm. Critics gave limited support to It Ends with Us, Reminders of Him and Regretting You, yet each title attracted a stronger audience response than its critical reception suggested.
That pattern appears to be continuing with Verity. The film’s commercial performance suggests that viewers are relying heavily on the popularity of the novel, cast interest and word of mouth. For fans, the chance to debate the film’s twists may be just as important as the reviews themselves.
Digger Struggles Against the Hoover Adaptation
While Verity is exceeding expectations, Digger is facing a far more difficult launch. Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s Tom Cruise-led film is estimated to open with roughly $10 million from 3,321 theaters, including $1.2 million from previews.
That would mark Cruise’s lowest North American opening in 19 years. The last comparable result came in 2007, when Lions for Lambs opened to $6.7 million. Unlike Digger, however, that earlier drama reportedly had a much smaller production budget of approximately $35 million.
Digger carries a reported production cost ranging from $125 million to more than $160 million. Its softer-than-expected start is therefore a major concern for Warner Bros., even though the movie features one of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars and an acclaimed director.
Strong Competition Shapes the Weekend
Verity is not the only film drawing attention this weekend. Sony’s Resident Evil is projected to earn about $11.5 million in its third weekend, bringing its domestic total to approximately $123.8 million by Sunday.
Paramount’s The Heart of the Beast is also holding well in its second weekend, with an estimated $10.3 million and a ten-day total approaching $37.6 million. A24’s Primetime is expected to collect $7.6 million, while Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island is tracking toward $6.5 million in its second frame.
Disney and Marvel’s Avengers Endgame: Encore is expected to decline sharply in its second weekend, earning roughly $6 million. The re-release remains a major lifetime performer, but its results show how heavily the initial surge was front-loaded.
What the Verity Opening Means for Hollywood
The performance of Verity could encourage studios to pursue more adaptations of popular romance and suspense novels. The film demonstrates that a recognizable literary brand can generate substantial opening-weekend interest even when reviews are not especially favorable.
For Amazon MGM Studios, the result strengthens its position in the theatrical market and gives the studio another commercially promising franchise opportunity. For Colleen Hoover, it adds momentum to a growing screen legacy that already includes several high-profile adaptations.
The coming weeks will reveal whether positive word of mouth can help Verity maintain its momentum. For now, the opening weekend has delivered a clear message: audiences do not always follow critics, particularly when a beloved author and a familiar story are involved.
Frequently Asked Questions About Verity
What are the latest Verity reviews saying?
The critical response has been largely negative, but the film’s commercial performance indicates that audiences are showing strong interest in the Colleen Hoover adaptation.
How much is Verity expected to make during opening weekend?
Verity is projected to open with approximately $32 million in North America, based on its strong Friday performance and preview earnings.
Who stars in the Verity movie?
The film stars Dakota Johnson, Anne Hathaway and Josh Hartnett. It is directed as an R-rated psychological thriller based on Hoover’s novel.
How does Verity compare with Digger at the box office?
Verity is tracking toward approximately $32 million, while Tom Cruise’s Digger is projected to open near $10 million.
