As expected, it was all about the latest from Disney Animation, Zootopia. The animated animal-fest opened ahead of its already-lofty expecations, with a fantastic $73.7 million, ranking just behind Deadpool in terms of openings for 2016 so far. Playing in 3,827 locations, it had a potent $19,258 per-venue average. Thanks to strong buzz from families and adults (a rarity for animated films in general), Zootopia had the biggest start yet for an animated film in March (beating The Lorax's $70.3 million), as well as Disney Animation's largest 3-day (unadjusted) start in their near 80-year history (beating Frozen's $67.3 million debut, though that was deflated from a Wednesday start). For all March releases, Zootopia had the fourth-best opening behind The Hunger Games and fellow Disney movies Alice in Wonderland and Oz: The Great and Powerful. Disney had forecasted a $60 million debut, and they usually score at this time of year.Reviews for Zootopia were through-the-roof positive, at 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, with an "A" CinemaScore. It also benefited from a 2016 that has been fairly uneventful for family pics so far (Kung Fu Panda 3 has done fairly respectably, but it hasn't exactly set the box office on fire). The marketplace was hungry for a pic like this, and audiences responded. Little direct competition for the remainder of the month as well as Spring Break (The Little Prince has very little anticipation) will only help Zootopia hold strong in the coming weeks.
Overseas, Disney Animation had their biggest start to date in China, with $24 million picked up over the three-day weekend. Overall, it picked up $64 million from 45 territories, for an early international total of $155 million (it opened overseas a couple weeks back), and $240 million worldwide. This looks well-positioned to earn at least $500 million worldwide. Disney did not release a budget for the film.
I wrote a review for Zootopia at www.christiananswers.net. I will also have a separate review written and posted on here in the next few days.
Meanwhile, opening at #2 with decent, if unspectacular results was action sequel London Has Fallen. Gerard Butler's latest opened to $21.7 million, for a decent $6,222 per-venue average. That improves on Butler's last disappointing effort (Gods of Egypt from last week) and was a little over two-thirds of Olympus Has Fallen's $30 million debut back in 2013. London had negative reviews (26% on Rotten Tomatoes), while audiences gave the film a solid "A-" CinemaScore. This could hold decently in the coming weeks. Distributor Gramercy Pictures produced the film for $60 million.
As expected, Deadpool was dethroned. Marvel's anti-hero was down 47% to $16.3 million, passing the $300 million milestone in the process (it's at $311.2 million in just 24 days). Deadpool joins an elite club that includes only the Iron Man, Avengers, Dark Knight and Spider-Man (the original trilogy) movies (those are the only superhero movies that have passed $300 million). Worldwide, the Merc with a Mouth has earned $675 million with Japan still yet to open.
Meanwhile the final new release, Tina Fey's Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, disappointed, earning just $7.6 million, for a mild $3,201 per-venue average. That was behind expectations, which were thinking of a $10 million start. For Fey, its just ahead of previous disappointment Admission. On a $35 million budget, the Paramount release is going to need some overseas strength if it wants to break even. It also doesn't help co-star Margot Robbie, though she has two big chances to build her fanbase this summer as she's the female lead in both The Legend of Tarzan and the wildly-anticipated Suicide Squad. Paramount didn't release an official estimate.Gods of Egypt, following a disappointing opening, had the floor come out underneath it this weekend. The poorly-received effects-driven action thriller plunged 65% to $5 million, for a dismal $22.8 million gross in 10 days, or just slightly more than what Butler's London Has Fallen earned in its opening weekend. Overseas, the film is also struggling with just around $50 million picked up so far there. It probably won't reach its $140 million budget worldwide at all.
Risen followed with a better hold, off 43% to $3.9 million, for a decent $28.7 million gross in 17 days. While the overall gross is solid, Risen is still showing to be somewhat front-loaded for a faith-based title. And next weekend's The Young Messiah won't help matters either. Look for a final gross between $35 and $40 million.
The arrival of Zootopia spelled trouble for Kung Fu Panda 3, which fell 60% to $3.5 million, for a solid, if unspectacular $133.8 million gross since its opening six weeks ago. Panda will likely wind up just under $145 million, in line with middling DreamWorks Animation efforts MegaMind and Puss in Boots, but $20 million below Kung Fu Panda 2. Overseas, Panda 3 has earned a spectacular $190 million from just seven territories ($325 million worldwide), and will expand to the rest of the world in two weeks.
Fresh off Oscar wins for Best Actor and Best Director, The Revenant was off only 16% to $3.3 million jumping up to eighth place in the process. The acclaimed thriller has earned a strong $176 million gross since its limited start 11 weeks ago. and $430 million worldwide. Eddie the Eagle couldn't hold well, off 49% to $3.1 million, for a very quiet $10.9 million pick-up in 10 days, on its way to falling short of $20 million. Rounding out the Top 10 in its third week was The Witch, which was down 51% to $2.5 million, for a decent $20.9 million pick-up in 17 days. The horror flick should edge out Ex Machina ($25 million) to become distributor A24's biggest release to date.
And that's it. Next weekend, Zootopia will likely remain at #1, while thriller 10 Cloverfield Lane looks to pull in strong numbers in second place. Also opening are Sacha Baron Cohen's latest comedy The Brothers Grimsby and faith-based flick The Young Messiah. We shall see how each of them fare over next weekend.
