Well, summer is coming early (especially for those in the warmer regions), but we are down 39% compared to this same weekend a year ago (even if said weekend was Easter and had the likes of Sinners opening with $48 million and A Minecraft Movie earning $40 million in its third weekend).

So let’s get on with it. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie inevitably led the box office again in its third weekend, bringing in $35 million, and it will pass $750 million globally by tonight. And yes, it goes without saying that its 2023 predecessor was much leggier and more mighty than this second ride around “the galaxy.” A $405-410 million domestic finish seems to be on the floor for this sequel; whether it joins Lilo & Stitch, Minecraft, and Zootopia 2 in over/under $425 million will depend on how much of the period between now and Memorial Day plays to cut off the family-friendly demographics. Nintendo is basking in the glory, though, so it can’t complain much about the animated IP and a $110 million budget. The announcement for the third chapter should be upon us in the moment of unparalleled perspicacity.

Kudos to Ryan Gosling’s Project Hail Mary, which will pass $300 million domestically by next weekend and $600 million worldwide soon. The biggest elephant in the room is how competition fares for the next month, dissecting its quadrants a la Michael, The Devil Wears Prada 2, The Sheep Detectives, Mortal Kombat II, and The Mandalorian and Grogu. Meanwhile, The Drama will be passing $40 million domestic sometime tomorrow and will be A24’s eighth-highest domestic earner.

For newcomers, Lee Cronin’s The Mummy clearly was more of a subliminal eyeroll from audiences. A C+ from CinemaScore and middling reviews won’t do it justice, even if its debut was “fine” with $13.51 million to start off. Yes, it has no connection to Brendan Fraser, but maybe leaving it only in solitary confinement sometimes is the way to go. Other newcomer Normal is no Nobody, as the latter title starring Bob Odenkirk opened with $6.8 million in the summer of 2021, right before theaters were warming back up in the post-COVID environment.

You, Me & Tuscany has passed $15 million worldwide, while Hoppers will pass $360 million worldwide by tomorrow morning (it will probably finish its domestic run around $170-175 million).

The Exit 8 took in $669k in its second weekend, while The Christophers earned $596k.

Next weekend will see the release of Michael, Apex (on Netflix), Over Your Dead Body, Desert Warrior, and Omaha.