The adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novels continues to prove a powerful force at the box office, with Universal’s “Reminders of Him” debuting at number one in North American theaters this weekend. The film’s success further solidifies the author’s growing influence in the film industry, demonstrating a clear demand for female-focused romantic dramas. This latest release follows previous adaptations of Hoover’s work, including 2024’s “It Ends With Us” and 2025’s “Regretting You,” establishing what industry observers are calling the “Hoover-verse.”
“Reminders of Him” earned an impressive $18.2 million from 3,402 North American theaters, exceeding pre-release expectations of $10 million to $12 million, according to Variety. The film as well garnered $10 million from 56 overseas territories, bringing its global total to $28.2 million against a $25 million production budget. This strong opening suggests a continued appetite for stories originating from Hoover’s popular novels.
The film stars Maika Monroe and Tyriq Withers, and is directed by Vanessa Caswill, who also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Colleen Hoover and Lauren Levine, based on Hoover’s 2022 novel. According to Wikipedia, the story centers on Kenna Rowan, a single mother rebuilding her life after serving a five-year prison sentence for a tragic mistake, and her attempts to reconnect with her daughter and forge a new relationship with Ledger Ward, a former NFL player.
Even as audiences appear receptive to the adaptation, initial reactions have been mixed, with the film receiving a “B” grade on CinemaScore exit polls. Despite this, the film’s performance highlights a significant trend: stories geared towards female audiences are resonating strongly with moviegoers. In fact, women comprised 80% of the opening weekend crowds for “Reminders of Him.”
The Rise of the “Hoover-verse”
The success of “Reminders of Him” isn’t an isolated incident. Hoover’s novels have consistently topped bestseller lists, and her stories have a dedicated and passionate fanbase. This translates directly to box office success, as evidenced by the performance of previous adaptations. The author’s involvement in the screenwriting process for “Reminders of Him” likely contributed to its faithfulness to the source material, a key factor for fans of the book. The film closely mirrors the novel, even down to specific details like the heroine’s initial outfit – a Mountain Dew T-shirt, jean shorts, and boots – as noted in a review by AP News.
Box Office Competition
“Reminders of Him” wasn’t the only film vying for attention at the box office this weekend. Disney and Pixar’s “Hoppers” maintained a strong showing in its second weekend of release, demonstrating continued appeal for family audiences. While specific numbers weren’t detailed, Rebecca Rubin of Variety reported that “Hoppers” “holds up well” in its second weekend, indicating sustained interest in the animated feature.
Looking ahead, Hoover fans have another adaptation to anticipate: “Verity,” starring Dakota Johnson and Anne Hathaway, is slated for release in October from Amazon MGM. The continued stream of adaptations suggests that the “Hoover-verse” is poised for further expansion, and the author’s influence on the film landscape is likely to grow.
The success of “Reminders of Him” underscores the power of adapting popular novels with dedicated fanbases, particularly those that resonate with female audiences. As the “Hoover-verse” continues to evolve, it will be intriguing to see how these adaptations perform and what other stories from the author will make their way to the big screen.
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