UPDATE: Emma Stone’s latest film, Bugonia, is making headlines this weekend after achieving a record-breaking opening at the box office. The film, which premiered in theaters on October 31, 2025, is projected to generate $4.4 million during its opening weekend, marking the biggest domestic debut for director Yorgos Lanthimos.
This black comedy, a remake of the South Korean film Save the Green Planet!, follows Stone’s character, who becomes entangled in a conspiracy theory involving aliens. As Bugonia gains traction, it currently boasts a domestic box office total of $5.5 million. However, the film’s production budget stands at a hefty $45 million, making it Lanthimos’ most expensive project to date.
Despite this promising start, the film has a long way to go before it turns a profit. The box office year has been challenging for many films, but Bugonia could find its stride as the holiday season approaches. The film has already garnered critical acclaim, with an impressive 86% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Emma Stone’s performance has also been highlighted as a potential Oscar contender, especially after the actress made headlines for shaving her head for the role. In a candid moment with Entertainment Weekly, Stone expressed her fears about the drastic change, saying she was “so afraid” to do it.
If Stone wins her third Academy Award for Best Actress, she would make history as the first actor to achieve this milestone since Katharine Hepburn. Hepburn holds the record for the most acting Oscars, with four wins.
Lanthimos and Stone have established a powerful partnership, with their previous films receiving multiple Academy Award nominations and wins. Lanthimos has been nominated twice for Best Director, while Stone won her second Oscar for Poor Things, which grossed $34 million domestically and $111 million globally.
In another exciting development, Bugonia marks the second collaboration between Lanthimos and actor Jesse Plemons. As of now, Lanthimos is taking a break from filmmaking, confirming to Collider that he has no upcoming projects in the pipeline.
As Bugonia continues to gain momentum, audiences are eager to see how this film will perform in the competitive box office landscape. Stay tuned for more updates on its trajectory and critical reception as awards season approaches.
