Emma Stone’s latest film, Bugonia, has set a new box office record during its debut weekend, grossing an estimated $4.4 million at the domestic box office. This marks the highest opening for director Yorgos Lanthimos, surpassing the previous record held by his film, Poor Things, which opened at $2.9 million. As the film released widely on October 31, 2025, it has already accumulated a total of $5.5 million in domestic earnings.
The film is a remake of the Korean cult classic, Save the Green Planet!, originally directed by Jang Joon-hwan. In Bugonia, Stone plays a protagonist who is kidnapped by a conspiracy theorist who believes she is an alien. The film has generated considerable buzz not only for its unique storyline but also for Stone’s commitment to the role, having shaved her head for the character, a decision she discussed candidly in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.
Despite its promising start, Bugonia faces challenges in achieving profitability. With a production budget of $45 million, it must significantly increase its box office earnings to cover costs. Lanthimos’s previous film, Poor Things, has so far grossed $34 million domestically and $111 million globally, setting a high bar.
The film’s critical reception has been largely positive, boasting an 86% score on Rotten Tomatoes, which could help sustain its momentum as the holiday season approaches. Following its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival in August, Stone has emerged as a strong contender for the Best Actress award this awards season. If she wins, she could make history by securing her third Oscar in the category, a feat no actor has achieved since Katharine Hepburn, who holds the record with four wins.
Lanthimos and Stone have developed a successful collaborative relationship over the years, with several of their films earning Academy Award nominations and wins. Lanthimos has previously been nominated for Best Director for both Poor Things and The Favourite, while Stone won her second Oscar for the former.
The film also features Jesse Plemons, marking the second collaboration between him and Lanthimos after their work on Kinds of Kindness. Currently, Lanthimos is taking a break from filmmaking and has no projects in development, while Stone has not announced any upcoming films.
As Bugonia continues to attract audiences, its future performance in the box office will be closely monitored, especially given the overall struggles many films have faced this year. With the holidays drawing near and a growing critical acclaim, the film may yet find its footing and achieve greater success in the coming weeks.