Continue the unabashed success thanks to the “Chicken Jockey” reactions and the overall kid-friendly demographics continuing to soar for A Minecraft Movie, which retained its crown (and explosive creepers) to nab $80.6 million in its second weekend (50% drop). That means the Mojang title has now passed $280 million domestically and $550 million worldwide, the second highest-earning video game movie behind The Super Mario Bros. Movie ($574 million domestic and $1.3 billion worldwide). Normal legs would get it to “just” $900 million worldwide, which is still a glamorous win in this writer’s humble opinion, as the days of $1 billion being the benchmark for “success” in this business are no more.
Given that China is now deemed more as a bonus and seems to be at war with tariffs (and refusing to show American titles in their country if not resolved diplomatically), we can still find great success with the Minecraft picture roping in kids and families for one of the most prominent video games in the past fifteen years. Legs show it reaching $450 million domestically, so it could get past Black Panther: Wakanda Forever‘s $453.8 million. It could go further if the stars align, as there isn’t much kid-friendly competition till Lilo & Stitch. Either way, enjoy the raucous ride in the multiplex if chickens are getting thrown and fireworks are being set off.
Speaking of good news, most newcomers this weekend kept a good pace for the follow-up spots. Angel Studios’ The King of Kings earned $19 million in its debut, which might be a frontloaded record for them when Sound of Freedom whipped open to $18.2 million ($40 million over the six days near Independence Day weekend). Some big names tied to the animated product added value to its appeal by discussing another story of Jesus.
The remake of The Amateur opened with $15 million, touting itself as an old-school Fox-style feature. It’s cumbersome to say where this will land, as many naysayers were stirring up a kerfuffle about Red Sparrow opening with $17 million seven years ago, so let’s see how legs perform for this latest thriller. A24’s Warfare opens up about a year after Civil War, with only an “OK” $8.3 million. Drop opened with $7.5 million, while The Chosen: Last Supper – Part 3 earned $5.82 million.
A Working Man will pass $60 million worldwide by the end of this sentence, while Snow White will crumble to around $200 million worldwide as it keeps getting yanked from theaters.
Next weekend sees the release of Sinners, The Legend of Ochi, The Wedding Banquet, and Sneaks.
