The cinematic landscape has seen an intriguing turn as “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” continues to dominate the box office, maintaining its top spot despite a notable decline in its second weekend.

Marvel’s latest superhero film grossed $40 million from North American theaters, marking a significant 66% drop from its robust debut. This performance raises questions about the film’s longevity, particularly when compared to “Thunderbolts,” Marvel’s previous release, which experienced a less severe 55% dip in its second weekend.

Despite the domestic slowdown, “First Steps” has demonstrated considerable global reach, adding nearly $40 million internationally to bring its total movie revenue to $369 million. Industry analysts, like Comscore’s Paul Dergarabedian, expressed surprise at the substantial drop-off, especially given the film’s initially strong critical reception and audience scores.

As the final major blockbuster of the summer movie season, “The Fantastic Four” was expected to push the industry towards the ambitious $4 billion summer benchmark. However, August has commenced at a slower pace than anticipated, indicating that subsequent films will need exceptional reviews and strong audience word-of-mouth to achieve sustained success in the marketplace.

Beyond the superhero genre, the weekend saw strong performances from new comedy releases. “The Bad Guys 2” secured second place with $22 million, aligning with projections and mirroring the success of its predecessor. Paramount’s “The Naked Gun” also made a solid debut, taking the third spot and contributing $17 million to the overall film industry figures.

Established titles continued to contribute to the weekend’s totals, with James Gunn’s “Superman” adding $13.8 million domestically, bringing its global haul past $550 million. “Jurassic World Rebirth” also maintained its presence, securing $8.7 million, showcasing the enduring appeal of various cinematic franchises.

Notably, the horror genre made a strong statement with “Together,” which debuted in sixth place with $6.8 million. This success underscores a growing trend in August for more edgy and off-beat films, providing diverse and rewarding cinema trends experiences beyond traditional summer blockbusters.

Looking ahead, industry experts anticipate a much-needed boost from upcoming releases like “Freakier Friday” and Zach Cregger’s horror movie “Weapons.” The current box office figures are up 9.5% from last year, suggesting a potential for a stronger late-summer surge if these new films resonate well with audiences.