Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson’s R-rated psychological thriller Verity claimed the No. 1 spot at the weekend box office, pulling in an estimated $32.6 million domestically and $62.6 million worldwide. The film, adapted from Colleen Hoover’s bestselling 2018 novel, exceeded expectations with a strong opening across 3,510 North American theaters. Its global total of $62.6 million against a $40 million production budget positions it as a commercial success, and the strong debut suggests it will continue to perform well in the coming weeks.
The film brought in $4.5 million during Thursday preview screenings ahead of its wide release, building momentum for the weekend. Starring Anne Hathaway as the incapacitated author Verity Crawford, Dakota Johnson as ghostwriter Lowen Ashleigh, and Josh Hartnett as Jeremy Crawford, the thriller explores dark themes of obsession, deception, and buried secrets. Directed by Michael Showalter from a screenplay by Nick Antosca, the film stays faithful to the novel’s claustrophobic suspense while delivering the kind of boundary-pushing erotic thrills that audiences have been anticipating since the project was first announced.
Verity solidly outperformed Warner Bros.’ dark comedy Digger, starring Tom Cruise, which suffered a weak opening weekend. The rivalry between the two films was closely watched by trade analysts, and Verity’s victory underscores the enduring appeal of psychological thrillers and Hoover’s devoted fanbase. The commercial success continues Anne Hathaway’s strong theatrical streak, positioning her with multiple major No. 1 opening films in 2026. Distributed by Amazon MGM Studios in North America and international partners overseas, Verity has proven that star power, compelling source material, and a well-executed marketing campaign can still draw audiences to theatres in the competitive post-pandemic landscape.
With its strong opening weekend, Verity is poised to remain a dominant force at the box office in the coming weeks. The film’s success also bodes well for future adaptations of Hoover’s work, as studios look to capitalize on the author’s massive readership. For now, audiences can catch Verity in theatres, where it continues to attract viewers eager to experience the twisted, seductive world that has captivated millions of readers worldwide.
