㽶Ƶֱ 㽶Ƶֱ stayed at the top of the North American box office in its second weekend in theaters. The Universal and DreamWorks Animation movie earned $30 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.
The franchise featuring the voice of Jack Black is responsible for over $1.9 billion at the box office since it launched in 2008 and spawned several animated series, shorts, video games and a holiday special. The fourth installment, playing in 4,067 locations in North America, has already made $107.7 million domestically.
There were several new movies arriving in over 1,000 theaters (or expanding) this weekend, including Lionsgate㽶Ƶֱs Mark Wahlberg dog movie 㽶Ƶֱ ,㽶Ƶֱ Focus Features㽶Ƶֱ comedic satire 㽶ƵֱThe American Society of Magical Negroes㽶Ƶֱ and A24㽶Ƶֱs Kristen Stewart-led bodybuilding thriller 㽶Ƶֱ .㽶Ƶֱ
But the charts still belonged to the franchises, including 㽶Ƶֱ ,㽶Ƶֱ which came in a very close second in its third weekend, with $29.1 million. That㽶Ƶֱs down only 37% from last weekend. It㽶Ƶֱs now made $205.3 million domestically. The first film, which was released simultaneously in theaters and on streaming, capped out at around $435 million globally, while 㽶ƵֱPart Two㽶Ƶֱ is already at almost $500 million worldwide.
㽶Ƶֱ 㽶Ƶֱ did the best of the newcomers, landing in third place with $7.5 million from 3,003 locations. The studio went into the weekend expecting something in the $8 million to $10 million range. Its low production cost and international presales should yield profits. Directed by Simon Cellan Jones and written by Michael Brandt, the movie is based on the true story of an adventure racer who befriends a stray dog on a perilous 435-mile trek in the Dominican Republic. Simu Liu plays one of Wahlberg㽶Ƶֱs teammates. With an A CinemaScore, the studio is hoping positive word of mouth will boost sales in the coming weeks.
㽶Ƶֱ 㽶Ƶֱ opened in 1,362 locations to $2.5 million. Written and directed by Rose Glass (㽶Ƶֱ 㽶Ƶֱ), it㽶Ƶֱs a pulpy 㽶Ƶֱ80s-set Western thriller about an isolated gym manager (Stewart) and a bodybuilder (Katy O㽶ƵֱBrian) passing through town.
㽶ƵֱThe American Society of Magical Negroes㽶Ƶֱ opened in 1,147 theaters and made an estimated $1.3 million. According to exit data, 52% of the opening weekend audience was Black. The movie, written and directed by Kobi Libii, is a satire about a secret society of Black people dedicated to making white lives easier. Justice Smith and David Alan Grier star.
In the first weekend following the Oscars, 㽶Ƶֱ 㽶Ƶֱ added $2.3 million globally, bumping its total to $112.6 million.
Next weekend, 㽶ƵֱGhostbusters: Frozen Empire㽶Ƶֱ will arrive in theaters, armed with proton packs and brand name recognition.
㽶ƵֱWhen there㽶Ƶֱs not a newcomer dominating the marketplace, it makes for a rather slow weekend,㽶Ƶֱ said Paul Dergarabedian, the senior media analyst for Comscore. 㽶ƵֱNow we㽶Ƶֱre just waiting for 㽶ƵֱGhostbusters: Frozen Empire㽶Ƶֱ and 㽶ƵֱGodzilla x Kong: The New Empire.㽶Ƶֱ That combo should take us out of the month of March on a high note.㽶Ƶֱ
He added: 㽶ƵֱWe㽶Ƶֱre going to have to have a lot of patience until we get to May and 㽶ƵֱThe Fall Guy㽶Ƶֱ and the summer movie season. But there㽶Ƶֱs some great movies on the way.㽶Ƶֱ
Estimated ticket sales are for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.
1. 㽶ƵֱKung Fu Panda 4,㽶Ƶֱ $30 million.
2. 㽶ƵֱDune: Part Two,㽶Ƶֱ $29.1 million
3. 㽶ƵֱArthur the King,㽶Ƶֱ $7.5 million.
4. 㽶ƵֱImaginary,㽶Ƶֱ $5.6 million.
5. 㽶ƵֱCabrini, 㽶Ƶֱ$2.8 million.
6. 㽶ƵֱLove Lies Bleeding,㽶Ƶֱ $2.5 million.
7. 㽶ƵֱBob Marley: One Love,㽶Ƶֱ $2.3 million.
8. 㽶ƵֱOne Life,㽶Ƶֱ $1.7 million
9. 㽶ƵֱThe American Society of Magical Negroes,㽶Ƶֱ $1.3 million
10. 㽶ƵֱOrdinary Angels,㽶Ƶֱ $1 million.
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