The red and blue superhero continues to reign supreme, more or less in the domestic territories only, with another big win in its second weekend with $57.25 million (-54% drop), putting it at $235 million domestically and $401 million worldwide. These are good numbers, although not the astonishing ones WB had come to expect from resetting the DC Universe (again). No, it’s no Wonder Woman or Black Panther in terms of legs, but this shall do. Barring a “Galactus” sized opening, this feature may end up closer to $380 million domestic than $400 million domestic as predicted last weekend. And yes, it may only skew more towards the domestic territories, but if it passes $600 million globally (or passes Man of Steel), I think that will put a nice knot of affirmation for executives to say, “Maybe this was the right call.”
Meanwhile, Jurassic World Rebirth nabbed $23.4 million in its third weekend, putting it at $276.1 million domestically. It is legging akin to the likes of Despicable Me 4, and it may end up around Dominion‘s $377 million domestic total. With it passing $650 million globally before the end of today, this is still a strong note that folks like the Jurassic Park (or World) series and the dinosaurs can keep striking with their teeth, provided moviegoers like the products. $800 million (plus) still seems like a no-brainer, so simply annouce the next installment, Universal.
Why Sony continues to bring back I Know What You Did Last Summer is beyond this wrtier’s humble opinion, even with a passable $13 million debut. If one recalls, the 1998 sequel “only” earned $40 million domestically on a $24 million budget, while the threequel went direct to DVD. Reviving franchises for the sake of reviving franchises, as movie history has taught us, doesn’t really ever work. Smurfs is part of the same boat, only earning $11 million in its debut, and again, not all IP is good IP to revitalize.
F1: The Movie has passed $460 million globally, another testament to Brad Pitt’s drawing power and folks wanting a good original to showcase for the summer. Apple can eat its cake too. How to Train Your Dragon has passed $250 million domestically, and sold more tickets than the sequel in 2014. Elio has passed $130 million worldwide, while newcomer Eddington opens with $4.25 million domestic.
Lilo & Stitch has become the first Hollywood film of the year to pass $1 billion globally, while M: I – The Final Reckoning has become the highest-earning domestic film of the M: I series. After rewatching the first two films as of recent, it’s safe to say that Cruise did bank much of his fortunes and goodwill on striking with prowess and ambitions from the 3rd installment and onward, and overdelivered when it came to his run with Christopher McQuarrie at the helm.
Next week sees the release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, The Home, Oh, Hi!, and Osiris.
