In its second weekend of release in theaters, “Kung Fu Panda 4” continued to lead the box office in North America. The studio estimates for the Universal and DreamWorks Animation film on Sunday were $30 million in ticket sales.
Since its 2008 release, the Jack Black-voiced franchise has brought in over $1.9 billion at the box office and given rise to other animated programs, shorts, video games, and a Christmas special. Playing in 4,067 sites across North America, the fourth installment has already brought in $107.7 million domestically.
This weekend saw a number of new films open in more than 1,000 theaters, including A24’s bodybuilding thriller “Love Lies Bleeding,” Focus Features’ humorous satire “The American Society of Magical Negroes,” and Lionsgate’s dog movie starring Mark Wahlberg, “Arthur the King.”
However, the franchises continued to dominate the charts, with “Dune: Part Two” coming in a very close second place with $29.1 million during its third weekend of release. Just 37% less than the previous weekend. As of right present, domestic sales are $205.3 million. The first movie, which debuted concurrently in cinemas and on streaming services, made a maximum of about $435 million worldwide, whereas “Part Two” has already made about $500 million.
Among the newcomers, “Arthur the King” performed the best, coming in third with $7.5 million from 3,003 locations. The studio was hoping for between $8 million and $10 million going into the weekend. Profits should be generated by its low production costs and worldwide presales. The film, which was written and directed by Michael Brandt and Simon Cellan Jones, is based on the true tale of an adventure racer who makes friends with a stray dog while traveling 435 miles through the Dominican Republic. Simu Liu portrays a colleague of Wahlberg’s. The company is expecting that favorable word-of-mouth will increase purchases in the upcoming weeks, given the film’s A CinemaScore.
“Love Lies Bleeding” made $2.5 million when it debuted in 1,362 theaters. It’s a pulpy Western thriller set in the 1980s and narrated by Rose Glass (“Saint Maud”) about a bodybuilder named Kathy O’Brian and an isolated gym manager named Stewart who happen to be in town.
“The American Society of Magical Negroes” earned an estimated $1.3 million during its 1,147 theater opening. Exit data showed that Black people made up 52% of the opening weekend audience. Kobi Libii wrote the screenplay and directed the satirical film, which is about a Black secret society that aims to make life easier for white people. Starring are David Alan Grier and Justice Smith.
“Poor Things” brought in an additional $2.3 million worldwide in the first weekend after the Oscars, bringing its total to $112.6 million.
“Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” will hit theaters the following weekend, bringing with it both a well-known brand and proton packs.
Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore, stated that “it makes for a rather slow weekend when there’s not a newcomer dominating the marketplace.” “All that’s left to do is wait for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.” With that combination, March ought to end on a positive note.
“We will need to exercise a great deal of patience until May, when ‘The Fall Guy’ and the summer film season arrive,” he continued. However, some excellent films are in the works.
Comscore estimates that Friday through Sunday will see ticket sales at American and Canadian theaters. On Monday, the final domestic numbers will be disclosed.
1. The $30 million film “Kung Fu Panda 4.”
2. “Part Two of Dune,” $29.1 million
3. “King Arthur,” 7.5 million dollars.
4. “Imaginary,” a $5.6 million project.
5. “Cabrini, 2.8 million dollars.
6. “Bleeding Love Lies” $2.50 million.
7. “One Love, Bob Marley,” $2.3 million.
8. “A Single Life,” $1.7 million
9. “Magical Negroes: The American Society,” $1.3 million
10. $1 million for “Ordinary Angels.”
