Zendaya arrives at the New York premiere of The Drama alongside Robert Pattinson in a Schiaparelli
In today’s movie world, true stars are those who can draw audiences to theaters just by their name alone. And right now, Zendaya is proving she’s one of them—especially in independent cinema.
Her latest film, The Drama, has made a strong debut at the box office, earning $14.3 million in its opening weekend in the U.S. That makes it one of the biggest openings ever for A24, second only to Civil War. For an original, non-franchise film, that’s a big achievement.
Why Zendaya’s Success Matters
Zendaya is already a global star thanks to blockbuster franchises like Spider-Man and Dune, as well as the hit TV show Euphoria. But what sets her apart now is her ability to bring audiences to smaller, original films.
“The Drama” is her second successful indie project after Challengers, which also opened strongly. This shows she’s not just a franchise star—she can lead original stories too.
Young Audiences Are Showing Up
A big reason for the film’s success is its appeal to younger viewers. Around 80% of the audience for “The Drama” was under 35, with a large portion between 18–24 years old.
Even more telling—about 70% of viewers said they watched the movie mainly because of Zendaya and her co-star Robert Pattinson.
Standing Out Among Indie Stars
Zendaya is now being compared to other well-known actors in the indie space. Stars like Kristen Stewart, Sydney Sweeney, Florence Pugh, and Dakota Johnson have all worked in independent films, but none are currently matching Zendaya’s consistent box office pull in this category.
What’s Next for Zendaya?
While she continues to dominate indie films, Zendaya also has major projects lined up, including future installments in the Dune and Spider-Man franchises, as well as new films from top directors.
If “The Drama” continues its momentum, it could earn around $45 million domestically—an impressive number for a film with a reported $25 million budget.
The Big Picture
Zendaya may not yet have a completely standalone blockbuster hit outside franchises, but her growing success in independent films is clear. She’s becoming a rare kind of star—one who can balance big-budget spectacles with meaningful, original storytelling.
Right now, she’s not just a movie star—she’s leading a new wave of indie cinema success.
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