OPENINGS: IF (Paramount) was at the low end of projections with $35M, although that was an improvement over where it seemed to be headed after Friday’s $10.4M. The key was strong family turnout on Saturday, but while IF benefited from being the first major release for that demographic in the 11 weeks since Kung Fu Panda 4 opened, it will face instant direct competition from next week’s The Garfield Movie, which already has $49M in overseas release (and 2 weeks after that, Pixar’s Inside Out 2 arrives). Production/marketing costs were relatively moderate for a big summer movie at around $200M, but the initial international numbers weren’t encouraging, with $20M in 56 territories ($24M total including a few markets that opened last week).
THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 1 (Lionsgate) exceeded expectations with $12M, slightly above Night Swim‘s $11.8M start, and $30-35M in the US should make it profitable on very low costs. It hasn’t yet opened overseas.
BACK TO BLACK (Focus/Universal) didn’t find the US musical bio audience that fueled Bohemian Rhapsody, Rocketman and One Love, launching with a low $2.9M. However, it’s already earned $36.6M in international release.
HOLDOVERS: KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (20th/Disney) had a standard action franchise hold, down 56% to $26M. It’s on track to pass War‘s $146.9M in this country. Overseas, though, seems to be going in the other direction with $136.3M after a $40.6M weekend in 52 markets, a long distance from War‘s $343.8M. In addition, Kingdom will have to face off with Furiosa next weekend.
THE FALL GUY (Universal) dropped 38% to $8.5M in its 3rd weekend, on its way to a blah $85M in the US. It’s on the same trajectory internationally, with $64.6M after a $7.2M weekend in 81 territories.
CHALLENGERS (MGM/Amazon, also on VOD) dipped 33% to $2.9M in its 4th weekend, and should pass $50M in the US. It’s lower overseas, with $35.2M after a $2.6M weekend in 61 markets.
TAROT (Screen Gems/Sony) lost 41% to $2M in its 3rd weekend, headed for $20M in the US. The international total is $14.5M after a $5M weekend in 52 territories.
GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE (Legendary/Warners, also on VOD) was down 35% to $1.7M in its 8th weekend, still chasing $200M in the US. It has $366.6M overseas.
UNSUNG HERO (Lionsgate) fell 57% to $1.1M in its 4th weekend, likely to fall short of $25M in the US, and with no international release to date.
CIVIL WAR (A24) dropped 44% to $1M in its 6th weekend, and may reach $70M in the US. It’s lower overseas with $44.3M.
LIMITED RELEASE: The IMAX documentary THE BLUE ANGELS (Amazon) brought in $1.3M in a pre-SVOD run at 227 theaters, a weekend per-theater average of $5700. I SAW THE TV GLOW (A24) expanded to near-wide release at 469 theaters and reported $1M, a $2100 average. BABES (Neon) opened at 12 with a $14K average. WILDCAT (Oscilloscope) widened to 101 and averaged $1400. EVIL DOES NOT EXIST (Janus/Sideshow) grew to 103 with a $1200 average.
NEXT WEEKEND: As noted, the Memorial Day weekend openings include FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA (Warners) and THE GARFIELD MOVIE (Columbia/Sony).
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