Emma Stone’s latest film, Bugonia, has made a notable impact at the box office, achieving a record-setting debut for director Yorgos Lanthimos. The film, which was released widely on October 31, 2025, has already garnered an impressive $4.4 million during its opening weekend, surpassing the previous record held by Lanthimos’s Poor Things, which opened at $2.9 million.
“This marks the biggest wide opening weekend ever for Lanthimos,” according to Deadline.
Based on the South Korean film Save the Green Planet! directed by Jang Joon-hwan, Bugonia tells the story of a woman, portrayed by Stone, who becomes entangled in a conspiracy theorist’s plot that leads him to believe she is an alien. The film’s unique premise, combined with its dark comedic elements, has resonated with audiences, contributing to its growing box office total of $5.5 million thus far.
Despite this promising start, Bugonia faces a significant challenge in reaching profitability due to its production budget of $45 million, making it Lanthimos’s most expensive project to date. The director’s previous film, Poor Things, grossed $34 million domestically and $111 million worldwide, setting high expectations for future releases.
As the holiday season approaches, there is potential for Bugonia to maintain its momentum. Critical reception has been favorable, with the film currently holding an 86% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival in August, Stone’s performance has positioned her as a strong contender for the Best Actress award, especially after she notably shaved her head for the role.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Stone expressed her apprehension about the drastic change, stating she was “so afraid” to shave her head, feeling as though she had to “play dead” for the character. If she secures a third Oscar win, Stone would make history as the first actor since Katharine Hepburn to achieve three Best Actress awards.
The partnership between Lanthimos and Stone has proven fruitful, with multiple films receiving Academy Award nominations and wins. Lanthimos has been nominated for Best Director twice, for both Poor Things and The Favourite, while Stone won her second Oscar for the former. Bugonia also marks the second collaboration between Lanthimos and actor Jesse Plemons following their work in Kinds of Kindness.
Looking ahead, Lanthimos has confirmed to Collider that he is taking a “little break” from filmmaking, and currently, Stone does not have any upcoming projects lined up. The success of Bugonia could play a crucial role in shaping their future endeavors in the film industry.
