Fede Álvarez’s latest entry into the iconic Alien franchise, Alien: Romulus, has made a remarkable debut, surpassing expectations and taking the top spot at the domestic box office.

The film, which premiered on August 16, garnered $45.1 million in its opening weekend, marking the second highest opening in the franchise’s history.

Alien: Romulus also performed strongly internationally, with $66.7 million earned from overseas markets, bringing its global total to an impressive $108.2 million.

The latest installment in the long-running Alien series, Romulus features a cast that includes Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, and Spike Fearn. It currently holds an 82 percent critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting a positive reception from reviewers.

Set between Ridley Scott’s 1979 Alien and James Cameron’s 1986 sequel Aliens, Romulus introduces a new chapter to the saga. The plot follows a group of colonists who encounter a decimated space station and are subsequently terrorized by the franchise’s notorious alien antagonist.

Initially slated for a Hulu release, Alien: Romulus was instead brought to theaters, a decision that director Álvarez discussed with Variety. “That decision was not made at the point where theaters were healthy,” Álvarez explained.

“But it was always going to be an ambitious movie for [a streaming] platform.” He recounted the enthusiastic response to the film’s theatrical release, noting, “I remember making an announcement to everybody that this movie was going to be in theaters, and there was a big cheer.”