‘Hello, Love, Again’ Sets Opening Record For Filipino Film, Marketing To Vibrant Audience “Exhibitors May Have Underestimated”

Hello, Love, Again, the widest domestic release for a Filipino film, now holds a record for the highest opening weekend for the same with $2.4 million and a no. 8 spot.

Jesse Eisenberg’s A Real Pain crossed $3 million at the box office following its expansion to more than 1,000 theaters in week 3, landing at no. 9 with a $2.3 million gross. Eisenberg stars with Kieran Culkin.

Anora is at no. 10 at $1.8 million on 1,500 screens in week 5 with a cume of $10.5 million.

All We Imagine As Light by Payal Kapadia, had the best ever opening for Sideshow & Janus Films with $51k on three screens in NY and LA ((Film Forum and Film at Lincoln Center in NYC, and Laemmle Royal in Los Angeles). Demand outstripped supply on both coasts with multiple sellouts at all three locations.

Hello, Love, Again is a great marketing story as Abramorama, in collaboration with AJMC (Amorette Jones Media Consulting), released the romantic drama in 248 locations across the U.S. and Canada. ABS-CBN Films and GMA Pictures’ sequel to Hello, Love, Goodbye starring Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards, saw strong turnout and engagement across key markets driven by a robust campaign by AJMC designed to engage core Filipino-American audiences while broadening its appeal to Asian-American, Hispanic, and general moviegoers.

That included a highly targeted social media strategy was employed, featuring scripted content tailored for North American audiences, fan engagement initiatives, and grassroots outreach. The campaign leveraged the strong fan base of Bernardo and Richards, along with strategic partnerships with platforms like ABS-CBN’s TFC and Cinema One, creating a cohesive push across digital and social media.

Veteran Joe Garel developed a data-driven distribution strategy, said Abramorama’s Evan Saxon, president and head of International Distribution, with the rollout “highlighting to our exhibition partners the power of a vibrant audience they may have underestimated. This success underscores the immense potential for expanding cinema’s audiences through multicultural and event-driven content.”

Bernardo and Richards reprise their characters, Joy and Ethan and Cathy Garcia-Sampana, returned to direct the sequel set five years after Joy says goodbye to Ethan and Hong Kong to pursue her dreams in Canada, where the two reunite.

Written by Carmi Raymundo and Crystal S. San Miguel, from a story by Raymundo, San Miguel and Olivia Lamasan.

New openings: GKIDS’ animated Ghost Cat Anzu opened to $158k  at 328 locations.

All We Imagine As Light, Payal Kapadia’s Cannes Grand Prix winner, will begin a national rollout next week with expansion to Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Francisco, and San Diego. Opens theatrically in India next weekend as well. The first Indian film to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in Competition in thirty years has gone on to become one of the most acclaimed and best reviewed films of the year. Sideshow/Janus Films are running a major awards campaign, which kicked off with Gotham Award nominations for Best Director and Best International Film (international films are not eligible for Best Picture).

Holdovers: Sony Pictures Classics The Outrun starring Saorsie Ronan grossed $27.4k on 167 screens in week 7 – back up from 19 last week, for a cume of $940.5k

The Substance continues in 119 theaters for $136.8k weekend, crossing $66.4 million worldwide.