Action thriller Shelter, starring Jason Statham, has scored the biggest independent theatrical opening in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) since April 2025, according to distributor Front Row Filmed Entertainment.
The film, directed by Ric Roman Waugh, led the box office in territories across MENA after opening on January 29, taking $2.23m across its first weekend. The previous biggest independent release in the region was A Working Man, which also starred Statham and opened in late March 2025. Both were produced by US and UK-based outfit Black Bear.
Saudi Arabia emerged as the film’s dominant market, where Shelter captured 34.5% of total nationwide admissions and 38% of total box office revenue across its opening weekend. It drew 59,000 admissions and generated $1m, making it the biggest opening for an English-language title in the Kingdom since late September 2025.
The film also topped the box office on its opening Wednesday, driven by midnight screenings. In doing so, it outperformed recent studio releases in Saudi such as Avatar: Fire And Ash, which took $770,000 from 46,400 admissions; Five Nights At Freddy’s 2, which earned $720,000 from 51,600 admissions; and Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, which recorded $610,000 from 38,300 admissions.
In the United Arab Emirates, Shelter recorded 37,000 admissions out of a total market attendance of 133,700. The film generated $681,000, accounting for 28% of all admissions and 33% of total box office revenue over the weekend.
In the film, Statham stars as a recluse on a remote Scottish island who rescues a girl from the sea, which sets events in motion that leads to an attack on his home. Statham also produces for his UK firm Punch Palace Productions.
Front Row CEO Gianluca Chakra said of the box office success: “It’s been a period of real uncertainty for audiences and for the theatrical market, which makes this response especially meaningful. At times like these, cinema as escapism becomes essential and Shelter clearly struck that chord.”
Front Row Filmed Entertainment distributes the film in partnership with the Kuwait National Cinema Company.
Shelter opened in sixth place on the global chart with a $13m opening weekend, composed of $7.5m from 27 international markets and $5.5m from North America, according to latest estimates.
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