AceShowbiz - The Drama has stirred the box office with its opening weekend results, marking a notable shift in Zendaya’s string of chart-topping film debuts. Directed by Kristoffer Borgli, known for Dream Scenario, and produced by Ari Aster, the creative mind behind Hereditary, The Drama stars Zendaya and Robert Pattinson as engaged couple Emma Harwood and Charlie Thompson. Their relationship faces turmoil when Emma reveals a troubling secret, setting the tone for this dark romantic comedy.

The film also features a talented supporting cast including Alana Haim from Licorice Pizza, Mamoudou Athie of Elemental, Hailey Gates known for Marty Supreme, and Zoë Winters from Succession. According to Deadline, The Drama is projected to bring in $14 million domestically over its first three days, landing it at No. 3 on the Easter weekend box office rankings.

This debut places The Drama behind the sci-fi hit Project Hail Mary, starring Ryan Gosling in its third weekend at No. 2, and the animated blockbuster The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which is expected to secure a record-breaking No. 1 debut. This outcome is significant because it ends Zendaya’s impressive streak of six consecutive No. 1 film openings. The last time a movie starring Zendaya did not top the box office was back in September 2018, when her animated feature Smallfoot debuted at No. 2 behind Kevin Hart’s Night School.

Since that time, all six of Zendaya’s theatrical releases, including major titles like Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021), Dune (2021), Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), and both Dune: Part Two and Challengers (2024), debuted at number one domestically during their opening weekends.

Despite the modest start, The Drama’s financial outlook remains uncertain. Its production budget is reported to be $28 million. However, several factors could help boost its profitability. The film has received positive critical reception, earning a Certified Fresh score of 79% on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating strong approval from critics.

This positions The Drama on a firmer footing compared to other similar releases. For example, A24’s 2025 romance Materialists, which also boasted an impressive cast including Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal, opened to just $11.3 million domestically but went on to gross $107.9 million worldwide. If The Drama follows a similar trajectory, it could recoup its costs and enter profitability well before its theatrical run concludes.

While The Drama has officially ended Zendaya’s streak of No. 1 openings, she is poised to regain her box office dominance soon. She has four upcoming projects with strong blockbuster potential lined up. First is Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, set to release on July 17, 2026. This film will open opposite Jonah Hill’s comedy Cut Off, which is expected to generate far less interest.

Following The Odyssey, Zendaya will star in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, scheduled for release on July 31, 2026. The third installment in the Dune series, Dune: Part Three, is slated for December 18, 2026, although it may face stiff competition from Avengers: Doomsday on the same date, potentially affecting its ability to top the charts.

Zendaya’s next project after that is Shrek 5, arriving on June 30, 2027, which is widely expected to debut at No. 1 due to its strong franchise appeal. This suggests that despite the recent box office results for The Drama, Zendaya’s presence in major upcoming films could quickly restore her record of opening weekend successes.

In summary, The Drama represents a significant moment in Zendaya’s career, breaking her streak of No. 1 box office debuts since 2018 with a $14 million opening and a third-place ranking. While this may appear as a setback, the film’s positive reviews and comparison to past A24 successes provide hope for its financial recovery. Meanwhile, Zendaya’s slate of high-profile upcoming projects ensures she will remain a dominant force at the box office in the near future.