"Twisters" Hits Home for Oklahoma Community with Blockbuster Opening Weekend

This past weekend, the Regal Warren Moore theater in Moore, Oklahoma, witnessed an evocative and exhilarating event as it screened "Twisters," a film deeply resonant with the local community due to its depiction of natural disasters akin to their own experiences. This cinematic occasion was especially poignant, aligning with the anniversary of an EF5 tornado that had severely damaged the theater eleven years prior, leaving a lasting scar on the region.

Community Reflections and Sentiments

John Stephens, the general manager of Regal Warren Moore, expressed the profound emotional connection felt by both the theater staff and local moviegoers. “Watching 'Twisters' felt like a celebration of the community’s strength and perseverance,” Stephens noted. “It re-created big Oklahoma storms on the big screens in Oklahoma. For our guests and the theater staff, this felt like our movie.” This sentiment was widely shared among the audience, who perceived the film as a tribute to their enduring resilience and collective spirit.

Situated in the heart of "Tornado Alley," Oklahoma has a distinct and intimate relationship with storm-related narratives. Jim Orr, president of domestic distribution for Universal Pictures, underscored the film's particular impact in this region. “It was big everywhere, but specifically in Oklahoma,” Orr stated. “It generated 80% of the box office there this weekend.” This robust regional performance played a pivotal role in the film’s impressive $80.5 million opening from 4,151 theaters across North America.

Plot and Cinematic Experience

Directed by Lee Isaac Chung, "Twisters" functions as a standalone sequel to the 1996 blockbuster "Twister." The film stars Daisy Edgar-Jones as Kate Cooper, a former storm chaser, and Glen Powell as Tyler Owens, a social media sensation known as the “tornado wrangler.” The narrative centers around these characters, along with storm chaser Javi, portrayed by Anthony Ramos, as they navigate a devastating series of tornadoes sweeping across Oklahoma.

The cinematic experience was heightened by the film’s 4DX format, which incorporates motion-enabled seats designed to simulate the film’s dynamic environment. This multisensory approach garnered significant attention on social media platforms such as TikTok, where users documented their experiences and reactions to the film. Additionally, the film’s soundtrack, featuring Luke Combs' “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma,” was prominently featured in these social media posts, enhancing viewer engagement.

Local Reactions and Personal Connections

Ryan Whitefield, a 42-year-old Oklahoma native who attended the film's opening weekend at Regal Warren Moore, praised the film’s authenticity. “The film portrays not just the terrifying moments during a storm, but also the way communities come together to rebuild and support one another afterward,” Whitefield observed. His wife, a survivor of the Bridge Creek–Moore tornado of May 1999, found the film too intense to watch, underscoring its realistic depiction of storm trauma.

Shantel Zuber, a 25-year-old storm chaser who appeared as an extra in the film, viewed "Twisters" twice during its opening weekend, first in the 4DX format at Regal Warren Moore. “We were all a little bit sore,” Zuber said, reflecting on the physical intensity of the immersive experience. Her early exposure to storm chasing, which began after a lightning strike ignited a fire in her hometown of Mineral Wells, Texas, influenced her perspective on the film’s portrayal of storms.

Box Office Performance and Industry Impact

"Twisters" achieved a record-breaking opening weekend for any film in the 4DX format, marking a significant milestone for Universal Pictures. The Regal Times Square theater in New York City, a key venue for the film, alone amassed nearly $100,000 in grosses from the 4DX format, illustrating the film’s broad appeal.

Orr highlighted the film’s cinematic qualities, emphasizing the necessity of experiencing it on a large screen. “'Twisters' is a very true-to-life, exciting, and immersive film,” Orr stated. “It really must be seen on a big screen, with a theater packed full of folks, with all of the great visuals, the surround sound, and everything that goes with it.”

The film’s success, particularly in Tornado Alley, underscores the profound connection between cinema and local experiences, offering both entertainment and a homage to a community’s resilience in the face of adversity.