S.S. Rajamouli's "Baahubali: The Epic" Makes a Strong Return to U.S. Theaters
S.S. Rajamouli, the acclaimed director behind the globally celebrated film RRR, has made a triumphant return to U.S. theaters with Baahubali: The Epic. This special release of the two-part Baahubali series—Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and Baahubali: The Conclusion (2017)—has drawn a diverse audience and generated an impressive $837.3k since its midweek debut across approximately 450 screens. The U.S. distribution was handled by Variance Films in collaboration with producers Arka Mediaworks and marketing firm Walls & Trends. In Canada, the film was managed by Prathyangira Cinemas.
The reimagined version of the Baahubali saga, directed by Rajamouli, has been remastered and edited into a single cinematic experience that spans four hours, including an intermission. The release began on Wednesday, with screenings on 160 premium large format screens, including IMAX, which sold out at AMC Lincoln Square IMAX and other theaters nationwide. To meet the high demand, a few locations added midnight showings for dedicated fans.
By Thursday, the film expanded to 448 locations, with over 60 premium large format runs. It will continue playing through next weekend, after which it will remain available in a unique model developed by Variance Films. This approach, similar to the successful “encoRRRe” release of RRR, has kept the film in theaters, generating an additional $1.5 million in revenue since its initial run.
A Unique Audience Appeal
According to Dylan Marchetti, president and founder of Variance Films, Baahubali: The Epic has proven to be a perfect fit for movie theaters. “S.S. Rajamouli movies are what movie theaters were built for,” he said. “Watching die-hard fans cheer their favorite moments while first-time viewers leaned forward to see what would happen next is as much fun as you can have at the theater.” Marchetti noted that the initial gross exceeded internal projections, highlighting the film’s strong appeal.
Unlike many Indian films that typically rely heavily on Indian audiences and families during the first day of release, Baahubali: The Epic attracted a broader demographic. Approximately 10% to 15% of the audience consisted of non-Indian Rajamouli fans who had previously enjoyed RRR and learned about the film through platforms like Letterboxd or other social media channels. The marketing campaign was carefully designed to avoid overshadowing the core fanbase. Marchetti expects the roadshow to mirror the success of RRR, drawing in predominantly non-Indian moviegoers.
The Story and Cast
Set in a richly imagined world, Baahubali follows the journey of a legendary warrior who rises from humble beginnings to challenge powerful forces threatening his homeland. Ancient prophecies and deep family bonds shape his path, leading to epic battles and emotional revelations. The film stars Prabhas in dual roles alongside Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty, Tamannaah Bhatia, Ramya Krishna, Nassar, Sathyaraj, Subbaraju, and Adivi Sesh.
Other Notable Releases
In addition to Baahubali: The Epic, several other films saw notable performances at the box office this week. Focus Features’ Bugonia, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, grossed $4.8 million in its second week, expanding to 2,043 screens and accumulating a total of $5.8 million. The film, which features Emma Stone, received critical acclaim, with an 86% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and an 83% audience score.
Briarcliff’s animated family comedy Stitch Head opened to $2.1 million on 2,162 screens, bringing in a total of $2.5 million. Meanwhile, Roadside Attractions’ Anniversary is projected to earn around $259.2k over three days on 809 screens. IFC’s crime thriller Violent Ends, set in the Ozark Mountains, debuted in 700 theaters with $120k in ticket sales. Neon’s Shelby Oaks continued its run, earning $770k in its second week at 1,708 locations, totaling $3.9 million.
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