㽶ƵֱThor: Ragnarok㽶Ƶֱ thundered to one of the year㽶Ƶֱs best box-office debuts, opening with an estimated $121 million in North American theatres.
The robust debut for the third 㽶ƵֱThor㽶Ƶֱ movie was a welcome shot in the arm for Hollywood and theatre owners who have just suffered through a terrible October at the box office.
㽶ƵֱThor: Ragnarok㽶Ƶֱ also bucked the trend of diminishing returns for sequels. The 2011 㽶ƵֱThor㽶Ƶֱ debuted with $65.7 million; 2013㽶Ƶֱs 㽶ƵֱThor: The Dark World㽶Ƶֱ opened with $85.7 million.
The big opening cements the unlikely breakthrough of New Zealand director Taika Waititi, who shepherded the $180 million production to Marvel㽶Ƶֱs best reviews since 2008㽶Ƶֱs 㽶ƵֱIron Man.㽶Ƶֱ
The weekend㽶Ƶֱs other new nationwide release was the holiday-themed comedy sequel 㽶ƵֱA Bad Mom㽶Ƶֱs Christmas.㽶Ƶֱ It grossed $17 million over the weekend.
Jake Coyle, The Associated Press