The box office saw indie films continue to make waves, led by “The Brutalist,” which expanded to 338 screens and earned $1.98 million over three days and $2.4 million for the holiday frame. The three-hour-plus epic has impressed with strong Imax sales and a total gross of $5.86 million, building momentum as Oscar nominations near. 

Meanwhile, Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu” added $4.3 million to its $89.4 million domestic total, and Timothée Chalamet’s “A Complete Unknown” collected $3.8 million, reaching a $57.6 million cume.

A24’s “Babygirl,” starring Nicole Kidman, continues its steady climb with $2 million this weekend, bringing its total to $25.4 million. Other contenders like “The Substance” and Sean Baker’s “Anora” saw notable expansions. As the race to the Oscars heats up, indies are proving they can compete with the heavyweights, offering audiences a rich variety of standout cinematic experiences.

Finsum: While long, The Brutalist is a call back to an American cinema tradition in the vein of The Godfather or There Will be Blood.