The Canadian-American thriller Soul Collector, directed by Osgood Perkins, topped the box office in Russia and the CIS over the July weekend, earning 121 million rubles from Friday through Sunday. This figure reflects industry estimates for the period, with the notable exception of Deadpool and Wolverine, which did not receive a theatrical release in Russia or Belarus.
The film centers on FBI agent Lee Harker as she probes a string of brutal murders carried out by a ruthless serial killer known as the Soul Collector. The cast features Alicia Witt, Maika Monroe, Nicolas Cage, Blair Underwood, Lisa Chandler, and Erin Boyes, delivering a mix of crime thriller tension and high-stakes drama.
In second place was Driver-oligarch, a family-oriented comedy directed by Alexey Pimanov, which drew 53.6 million rubles during the same weekend. The story follows Timur Baburin, the heir to an influential business empire whose lavish lifestyle is tested when a business partner dares him to take a risky bet. The ensemble includes Pavel Priluchny, Alexey Chadov, Olga Pogodina, Stanislav Duzhnikov, Dmitry Khrustalev, Elena Valyushkina, and Anna Ukolova, who bring humor and heart to the unfolding satire about wealth, responsibility, and personal growth.
Third on the weekend chart was Vasily Sviridov’s Not Alone at Home, which amassed 21.6 million rubles. The film tells the tale of five-year-old Masha Khametova, left home alone while her parents travel for work. A fraudulent nanny enters the picture, but the child’s ingenuity and a touch of modern technology, including a neural network, help unmask the intruder and restore a sense of safety for the family.
Deadpool and Wolverine, a title with heavy anticipation, achieved the top spot in the CIS for the weekend with 156 million rubles despite not appearing in cinemas in Russia or Belarus. The discrepancy between regional releases and box office leadership highlights how distribution decisions can shape a market’s viewing landscape during peak periods.
In related industry news, reports across entertainment outlets mentioned a return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe for a prominent actor known for the Iron Man role, signaling continued crossovers and audience interest in familiar franchises as they evolve through new installments and reappearances.