A24 has done it again. The indie darling turned box-office powerhouse has just scored its fifth film to cross the coveted $100 million mark at the global box office. The latest entry? The Drama, a cringe-inducing dark comedy starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson. Directed by Kristoffer Borgli—who previously teamed with A24 on the surreal Dream Scenario—the film follows a couple whose lives spiral out of control after a shocking personal revelation days before their wedding.
With a reported budget of $28 million, The Drama has already grossed over $100 million worldwide, proving that A24's strategy of pairing acclaimed indie directors with A-list stars is paying off. The film also features Alana Haim, Hailey Benton Gates, and Mamoudou Athie in supporting roles. Critics have praised the movie for its tonal tightrope walk, with a 77% score on Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus highlights "career-highlight performances" from Pattinson and Zendaya.
A24's Box-Office Elite
The Drama now trails only four other A24 films on the studio's all-time leaderboard: Marty Supreme ($180 million), Everything Everywhere All at Once ($142 million), Civil War ($127 million), and Materialists ($108 million). It has already surpassed the domestic haul of Materialists ($36 million) and is on track to hit $50 million domestically by the end of its run. Notably, it has also overtaken the $95 million lifetime global gross of Zendaya's Challengers, which was distributed by Amazon MGM Studios.
This milestone comes as A24 prepares to enter production on its most ambitious project yet: a fantasy video game adaptation of Elden Ring. The studio has carved out a niche by filling the gap left by Hollywood's retreat from mid-budget, star-driven dramas. While not every experiment has worked, A24's consistent brand identity and savvy marketing have turned it into a reliable hitmaker.
Zendaya's Banner Year
For Zendaya, 2026 is shaping up to be a massive year. In addition to The Drama, she's starring in the third season of HBO's A24-produced Euphoria, which recently stormed the streaming charts and toppled The Pitt. She'll also join Pattinson in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey and Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Three, and reprise her role as MJ in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Meanwhile, fans looking for a different kind of drama might enjoy HBO's overlooked Julia Child drama, a perfect weekend binge.
As A24 continues to level up, The Drama stands as proof that smart, star-driven storytelling can still pack a punch at the box office. For those who prefer their entertainment with a side of golf and heart, Owen Wilson's golf drama might be your new obsession.
