Wicker is closing in on Whalefall at the North American box office—on a $10 million budget, against a $60 million one.
Wicker is on track to outperform Whalefall at the North American box office — despite a $50 million budget gap. The R-rated comedy, starring Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård, has grossed $14.2 million in 11 days, according to Box Office Mojo data cited by Koimoi. It’s now less than $5 million away from surpassing Whalefall’s current total of $16.7 million.
The survival thriller, directed by Brian Duffield and based on the 2023 novel of the same name, opened a week earlier and carries a production budget of $60 million. Despite its high-profile cast, Josh Brolin and Austin Abrams, it has struggled at the box office, with mixed reviews contributing to its underwhelming run.
The film has since faded into the background among other releases, continuing to play in theaters but failing to gain traction. Wicker, meanwhile, was released on October 23 and has quietly built momentum. Based on the short story The Wicker Husband, it follows an ostracized fisherwoman who commissions a local basketmaker to weave her a husband.
When the wicker creation comes to life in unexpected ways, his presence stirs jealousy and upheaval in their quiet coastal village. The film’s blend of raunchy humor and emotional depth has resonated with a niche audience. On its second Monday, it earned $671,800, a 0.1% increase from the prior week, showing steady performance.
According to Koimoi, this past weekend marked Black Bear’s biggest domestic hit of 2026, surpassing even Shelter. While Whalefall remains in theaters, its theatrical run appears to be winding down. Wicker’s success is notable not just for its numbers, but for what it signals: a low-budget genre piece with a surreal premise and strong character work can outperform a big-studio survival thriller with broader marketing and higher expectations.
The film’s ability to hold its ground against a larger release shows shifting audience preferences. Whether this momentum continues through Thanksgiving or stalls before year-end remains to be seen. But one thing is clear, the wicker man isn’t just surviving. He’s winning.
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