This weekend, 'Alien: Romulus' secured the No. 2 spot at the domestic box office, earning $16.2 million.

In addition to its domestic success, the film earned RMB140 million (approximately $19.7 million) in China, bringing its total earnings there to RMB523 million ($73.7 million) since its release on August 16.

With this strong performance, 'Alien: Romulus' has become Hollywood's second biggest film of 2024 at the mainland China box office.

The overall nationwide box office total for the weekend reached $70.8 million, contributing to a year-to-date total of $4.62 billion, which is over 21% lower than the same period in 2023.

The weekend's box office results suggest a potential end to the summer movie season, which typically sees strong performances from horror films.

Critics have noted that 'Alien: Romulus' is bloodier than previous entries in the franchise, enhancing its horror appeal.

The film features a diverse cast, including Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, and Aileen Wu, contributing to its engaging narrative.

Notably, the film's chestburster sequence was filmed over a week, utilizing Arri aspherical lenses to achieve a dynamic visual style.

Director Fede Alvarez faced creative pushback from 20th Century and Disney, which he interpreted as a positive sign regarding the film's direction.

Despite its underwhelming debut, the film 'Blink Twice' has a $20 million budget and is expected to gain traction during its theatrical run.

Another new release, 'Untouchable,' directed by Wang Daqing, earned RMB73.4 million ($10.3 million), showcasing the ongoing competition in the box office.

In contrast, the Thai comedy-drama 'How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies' opened outside the top five with an estimated three-day score of $4.4 million.