Olivia Wilde's 'The Invite' posts strong limited box‑office debut and sparks critical buzz

Olivia Wilde’s third directorial feature, the adult comedy‑drama The Invite, opened in limited release on June 26 2026. Starring Wilde alongside Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton, the film follows a San Francisco couple whose marriage unravels during a dinner party with their free‑spirited neighbours.

The limited run generated a top‑per‑screen average of $54,000, grossing $379,000 on just seven screens in New York and Los Angeles and selling out shows. A24 acquired the film for $12 million after a standing‑ovation at Sundance, and the distributor plans a wider rollout on July 10.

Wilde said the cast spent intensive sessions discussing personal marriage experiences, which she believes added emotional honesty to the story. Critics have responded positively, with an 80 Metacritic score and praise for the performances—particularly Cruz’s. The film’s behind‑the‑scenes approach, shot in 21 days on film in a single apartment, has been highlighted as a creative risk that paid off.

Wilde also reflected on the liberating effect of the poor reception of her previous film, Don’t Worry Darling, noting that the experience helped shape the process behind The Invite. The movie is positioned as a potential awards‑season contender while attracting younger audiences to theatrical releases.