Colleen Hoover’s psychological thriller adaptation opened with approximately $33 million, marking Anne Hathaway’s third No. 1 film debut of 2026.

Anne Hathaway continues to dominate the 2026 box office. Her latest film, Verity, opened to an estimated $33 million over its debut weekend, giving the actress her third movie to reach the top spot this year, following The Odyssey and The Devil Wears Prada 2.

Based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling psychological thriller, the film arrived in theaters amid considerable online attention. Alongside its established book fandom, an unexpected connection to a viral Minecraft meme helped introduce the movie to a younger social media audience.

The adaptation also stars Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett, bringing Hoover’s unsettling story of secrets, manuscripts and a troubled family to the big screen.

How a Minecraft Meme Became Part of ‘Verity’s’ Marketing

One of the more unusual elements surrounding the film’s promotion has been a meme featuring a yellow smiley face associated with a character named Verity in a Minecraft horror series.

Created by YouTuber ThatMob, the web series initially presents Verity as a cheerful in-game assistant before gradually revealing a darker side. The character gained even more attention through the fan-made song “It’s Me, It’s Verity” by Horror Skunx. Both the series and its accompanying music video reportedly surpassed 20 million views.

The trend has spread beyond gaming communities, with children associating yellow smiley faces with the character and adding “-ity” to everyday words.

Hathaway responded to the internet phenomenon by incorporating its signature phrase into the film’s marketing. In a promotional video, she looks directly at the camera and says, “Hey, it’s me, it’s Verity. Ask me anything.” A smiley-face emoji in the caption reinforced the connection, prompting TikTok users to create reactions, edits and remixes combining the meme with footage from the movie.

Although the viral character and the film share a name, their stories are entirely unrelated. Still, the unexpected crossover has given the movie an additional source of online visibility.

What Is the Story Behind ‘Verity’?

The film adapts Hoover’s gothic psychological thriller, centering on Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer played by Johnson. Lowen accepts a job from Jeremy Crawford, portrayed by Hartnett, to complete a successful book series after his wife, Verity Crawford, becomes bedridden.

Hathaway plays Verity, the celebrated author whose unfinished work becomes the focus of Lowen’s investigation. While exploring Verity’s office, Lowen discovers a manuscript containing disturbing confessions that could radically change her understanding of the writer and her family.

Michael Showalter, who previously directed Hathaway in The Idea of You, helms the adaptation. Hoover and Hathaway are also among the film’s producers.

Anne Hathaway’s Pregnancy Draws Attention at the Premiere

The film’s New York premiere at AMC Lincoln Square on Tuesday brought the cast together for an evening that mixed suspense with lighter moments.

Hathaway, who is expecting her third child with husband Adam Shulman, appeared in a black sequined gown that highlighted her baby bump. Johnson’s enthusiastic reaction to her co-star’s appearance also attracted attention online.

The two actresses have maintained a playful dynamic throughout the press tour. Johnson has even joked about wanting to continue kissing Hathaway indefinitely, offering a lighthearted contrast to the dark and unsettling themes of the film.

Critics Find Camp and Entertainment in the Thriller

Critical responses to Verity have been varied, but some reviewers have embraced its heightened, theatrical approach.

Tribune News Service critic Katie Walsh described the movie as “high camp with a wink” in her review featured on Rotten Tomatoes. Mashable critic Kristy Puchko also highlighted Hathaway’s performance, writing that the actress “seems to be having the time of her life.”

The reactions suggest that, beyond its psychological twists, the film offers audiences an opportunity to enjoy an exaggerated and dramatic performance from its leading star.

‘Verity’ Strengthens Hathaway’s Box Office Run

The film’s opening weekend is another significant result for Amazon MGM Studios. According to Variety, Verity was produced on a reported budget of $40 million, making its opening of more than $30 million a promising start.

Hoover’s adaptations have already demonstrated considerable commercial appeal. It Ends With Us, released in 2024, debuted with $50 million in domestic ticket sales, illustrating the purchasing power of her devoted readership.

Hathaway’s wider box office performance has also been notable. Gold Derby reported that her first four films of 2026 had collectively generated more than $2.5 billion worldwide, underscoring the scale of her success this year.

With Verity, a story that began as a popular book has found a new audience through theatrical release, social media conversations and an unlikely gaming-related meme. Its performance demonstrates how established fan communities and unexpected online trends can work together to generate attention for a movie.

Should You See ‘Verity’ in Theaters?

For readers who have followed Hoover’s novel, the film offers an opportunity to revisit its disturbing mysteries through the performances of Hathaway, Johnson and Hartnett. Viewers drawn to gothic settings, psychological suspense and dramatic revelations may also find it worth a trip to the cinema.

The viral Minecraft connection is not part of the film’s actual storyline, but it has added an unusual layer to the movie’s cultural moment. Whether audiences arrive because of the book, the cast or the meme, Verity has already secured a strong opening.

Verity is rated R and is playing in theaters nationwide.