Full Breakdown
'The Invite' Achieves Record Per-Screen Average in Limited Opening
6/29/2026, 2:08:54 AM
Record Limited Opening: Numbers and Scope
A24’s comedy *The Invite* opened on seven screens in New York City and Los Angeles, generating a total gross of $379,000. The per-screen average (PSA) of $54,000 was the highest of the weekend and one of the best PSAs of the year. Enthusiastic crowds sold out shows in both markets with exceptional exits and strong word-of-mouth momentum. The film stars Olivia Wilde, Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton.
Background and Release Strategy
The film, directed by and starring Olivia Wilde, is being rolled out selectively into additional top markets next weekend. This limited-phase approach precedes a nationwide expansion scheduled for July 10.
Industry Context: Limited Rollouts Among Indie Films
The Invite’s seven-screen debut follows a pattern observed in other 2026 indie releases. *Romería* opened on two New York venues for $18,500, *Maddie’s Secret* expanded to nine screens for $82,000, and the documentary *Gregg Allman: The Music Of My Soul* earned $26.7 k on 33 screens. These limited engagements illustrate a broader distribution approach where titles test audience response in key markets before wider releases.
Comparative Box-Office Landscape
Within the same reporting period, other indie titles posted modest grosses relative to the number of theaters in which they played. *Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Calamity* earned $1.95 million across 943 theaters, while Neon’s horror *Leviticus* grossed $929,000 on 965 screens. Roadside Attractions’ WWII drama *Lucky Strike* made $777,000 on 772 screens, and *Couture* starring Angelina Jolie earned $135,000 on 235 screens. Limited-run titles such as Carla Simón’s *Romería* opened to $18,500 in New York, and *Maddie’s Secret* reached $82,000 on nine screens. In contrast, *The Invite* generated $379,000 on just seven screens, achieving a $54,000 per-screen average that stands out among these releases.
On-the-Ground Audience Reception
Reports describe “enthusiastic crowds” and sold-out screenings in both New York and Los Angeles. The combination of high attendance, rapid ticket turnover, and positive audience feedback aligns with the film’s reported strong word-of-mouth momentum.
Why It Matters
The $54,000 per-screen average makes *The Invite* one of the best limited-release PSAs of the year, indicating strong audience interest ahead of the planned nationwide expansion on July 10.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The current data set covers only the initial seven-screen window. No information is provided regarding subsequent box-office performance, demographic breakdowns, or critical reception, leaving the film’s longer-term trajectory uncertain.
What’s Next
The distributor plans a selective rollout into additional top markets next weekend, followed by a full nationwide release on July 10. Continued monitoring of box-office receipts will determine whether the early per-screen success translates into sustained earnings across a broader audience.
