‘Reminders of Him’ Tops Friday Box Office, Continuing Colleen Hoover’s Cinematic Success
The box office landscape saw a shift on Friday, March 14, 2026, as Universal’s romantic drama “Reminders of Him” edged out Disney and Pixar’s animated adventure “Hoppers” to claim the top spot. The film, based on the popular novel by Colleen Hoover, grossed an estimated $8 million across 3,402 North American locations, signaling a strong start to its opening weekend and potentially solidifying Hoover’s position as a dominant force in book-to-screen adaptations. This performance comes as audiences continue to demonstrate a keen interest in emotionally resonant stories, particularly those originating from the thriving world of romance literature.
“Reminders of Him” marks the third adaptation of Hoover’s function to achieve significant success in cinemas. In 2024, Sony and Wayfarer Studios’ adaptation of “It Ends With Us” captivated audiences worldwide, amassing an impressive $351 million globally. Box Office Theory reports that the film’s success demonstrated a strong appetite for Hoover’s narratives. Following that triumph, Paramount Pictures released an adaptation of “Regretting You” in the fall of 2025, earning $90 million worldwide on a $30 million production budget, further cementing Hoover’s appeal to a broad audience. This track record undoubtedly contributed to the anticipation surrounding “Reminders of Him” and its strong opening day performance.
A Story of Redemption and Second Chances
Directed by Vanessa Caswill, “Reminders of Him” stars Maika Monroe as Kenna Rowan, a woman navigating the complexities of rebuilding her life and reconnecting with her daughter after serving time in jail. The film explores themes of grief, forgiveness and the enduring power of maternal love. Joining Monroe are Bradley Whitford, Tyriq Withers, Lauren Graham, Jennifer Robertson, and Rudy Pankow, forming a supporting cast that adds depth and nuance to the emotional core of the story. The narrative centers on Kenna’s struggle to overcome societal judgment and legal obstacles as she fights for a chance to be a mother again.
‘Hoppers’ Maintains Momentum, Pixar Breaks a Streak
While “Reminders of Him” took the lead on Friday, “Hoppers,” the latest original offering from Disney and Pixar, continued to perform strongly, securing the second position with $7.1 million. Projections indicate a domestic weekend haul of around $30 million, representing a 34% decline from its impressive opening weekend. Box Office Theory estimates the North American total will reach approximately $86 million by the end of the weekend.
“Hoppers” is particularly noteworthy for ending a nearly decade-long drought of original successes for Pixar. The film’s strong opening weekend was the best for an original Pixar title since the release of “Coco” in 2017. Pixar has seen considerable success with sequels, such as “Inside Out 2,” but has faced challenges in launching new intellectual property in recent years. Previous original films like 2025’s “Elio” and 2020’s “Onward” struggled to maintain momentum in theaters, failing to recoup their substantial production costs. “Hoppers” represents a significant turning point for the animation studio, demonstrating its continued ability to create compelling and commercially viable original stories.
A24’s ‘Undertone’ Emerges as a Potential Sleeper Hit
Rounding out the top three at the box office on Friday was A24’s new horror film, “Undertone,” which earned an estimated $4.3 million from 2,570 locations. The film, written and directed by Ian Tuason, follows Nina Kiri as a paranormal podcaster haunted by mysterious recordings. The cast also includes Adam DiMarco, Michèle Duquet, Keana Lyn Bastidas, Jeff Yung, and Ryan Turner. Early projections suggest “Undertone” could earn around $10 million by Sunday, positioning it as a potential sleeper hit for the independent studio. A24 has a reputation for cultivating a dedicated audience for its unique and often genre-bending films.
The Weekend’s Remaining Top Performers
The top five was completed by “Scream 7,” which took in $2.6 million on Friday, and “GOAT,” which earned $1.2 million. “Scream 7” is expected to bring in $8.4 million over the weekend, pushing its North American total to $106 million. Deadline reports that the latest installment in the long-running horror franchise continues to resonate with audiences. “GOAT,” the family-friendly film, is projected to earn $4.7 million by Sunday, bringing its domestic total to $90.5 million.
The success of “Reminders of Him” underscores the continued appeal of emotionally driven narratives and the power of Colleen Hoover’s storytelling. As the weekend progresses, industry analysts will be closely watching to see if the film can maintain its momentum and potentially challenge “It Ends With Us” and “Regretting You” in terms of overall box office revenue. The performance of “Hoppers” and “Undertone” also provides valuable insights into the current state of the film market, demonstrating a demand for both high-quality animation and innovative independent horror.
The box office results for Sunday, March 16, 2026, will provide a more comprehensive picture of the weekend’s performance and further illuminate the trends shaping the cinematic landscape. Stay tuned for further updates as the numbers continue to come in.
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