As what many expected, it was the latest prehistoric adventure that topped the box office charts. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom did, however, outpace analysts' expectations, pulling in a huge $150 million in its debut (the per-venue average was a fantastic $33,520 from 4,475 locations, the second-widest release in history behind fellow Universal title Despicable Me 3). For its opening weekend, this installment ranks 20th on the all-time chart (if estimates hold), as well as Universal's second-biggest debut in their history (behind the original Jurassic World's record-shattering $209 million launch in 2015). While no one expected Fallen Kingdom to get close to its' predecessor, it came closer than many expected (projections ahead of the weekend were looking at a debut along the lines of $125-130 million). It's also the third-biggest opening ever for the month of June, behind its' predecessor, Incredibles 2.Many were looking at concerning tracking metrics (reviews were down the middle also at 50% on Rotten Tomatoes), so why did Fallen Kingdom manage to overperform? Perhaps the fanbase for this franchise is bigger than people think? Maybe families came out in force? (56% of the audience was under the age of 25) Good questions. But, Universal did market the heck out of this picture, so awareness was always high. All things considered, a $150 million debut for a sequel to a movie that wasn't as beloved as the 1993 original is still quite an impressive feat.
Another big question is how Fallen Kingdom will play from here? The first Jurassic World had strong legs for a blockbuster (it earned over 3 times its opening weekend), I don't think we should expect the same here. Audiences do seem to like it more than critics (a solid "A-" CinemaScore), and there's no direct competition next weekend. However, Ant-Man and the Wasp (July 6) and fellow Universal action flick Skyscraper (July 13) will both take a good chunk of its audience away. I would say a final gross at least around $350 million seems like a safe bet, with a good chance to go up to $400 million if it holds OK.
Overseas, Fallen Kingdom opened a couple weeks early in many overseas markets (to avoid the World Cup and additional competition), where it has earned very strong results. It earned another $107 million this weekend (its' already pulled in over $200 million in China) for an overseas gross of $560 million with still some steam left. With $700 million worldwide already, you can already bet this will pull in well over $1 billion by the time its' finished. Distributor Universal was expecting $130 million, and they produced it for $170 million.
Of course, there was another blockbuster playing this weekend too. Following its record-shattering debut last weekend, Incredibles 2 did drop a somewhat alarming 56% to $80.9 million. In 10 days, however, the Pixar blockbuster has earned a massive $350.4 million, already ranking as the studio's fourth-biggest movie they've made. Considering how big the opening was last weekend, and the idea that fans might have rushed out, this drop isn't exactly surprising either. The film should manage to hold itself a bit better as time goes on, especially with no animated competition until Hotel Transylvania 3 on July 13. Overseas, the film is close to passing $500 million worldwide as it rolls out more slowly (it did earn a Pixar-best $21 million debut in China this weekend).
Beyond that, everything else was way behind. In third place and holding much better than last weekend, Ocean's 8 was off 39% in its third frame to $11.7 million. The female ensemble has pulled in a very solid $100.4 million in 17 days, and should make its way to a finish around $125 million. Overseas, the film's earnings have been more mild, with just $70 million earned so far. Following its mixed debut last weekend, Tag had a decent sophomore hold. The R-rated comedy fell 45% to $8.2 million, for a meh $30.4 million gross in 10 days, just past its $28 million production budget.
Despite added competition from dinosaurs, Deadpool 2 managed to remain in the Top 5 for a sixth-straight weekend. The well-reviewed sequel was off 40% to $5.3 million, for a strong $304.2 million gross in 42 days. Merc has also passed $700 million worldwide, on its way to a finish not far from its' predecessors' $780 million finish. Overall, Fox should be thrilled with this result.
Meanwhile, Solo: A Star Wars Story continued to freefall. The galactic spin-off fell 60% in its fourth frame to $4 million, for a $202.2 million gross in 24 days. Its' important to note that both Force Awakens and Last Jedi still earned more in their opening weekends, otherwise the gross would be decent (of course the budget was at least $250 million). Overseas, the story is perhaps worse with just $150 million earned and not much more to go. The box office performance of Solo is causing Disney and Lucasfilm to rethink its strategy with future spin-offs of the galaxy far, far away.
Continuing to play far better than its "D+" CinemaScore would indicate, Hereditary was off just 44% in its third frame to $3.8 million. The critically-adored horror flick has managed to earn a successful $35 million in 17 days. On the other hand, Superfly was down 51% to $3.4 million. The crime flick has only managed a mediocre $15.3 million in 12 days, with very little to go.
In its ninth weekend of release, Avengers: Infinity War is starting to wind down its run. The penultimate entry in the MCU was down 54% in the face of another PG-13 action flick to $2.5 million. But Thanos and co. have put together one of the best runs in movie history, with $669.5 million earned in 63 days of release. While it won't reach Black Panther (expected $700 million finish), its' still proving to be a massive blockbuster for all involved. Infinity War also ranks as the fourth-biggest movie of all-time worldwide with a $2.03 billion worldwide gross.
Rounding out the Top 10 was an expanding title, Mr. Rogers documentary Won't You Be My Neighbor? Reaching 348 locations, the doc pulled in $1.9 million ($5,388 per-venue average), for a $4.1 million gross since its limited debut 17 days ago. Whether or not this will continue to expand will depend on how it holds from here.
That's about it. Next weekend, things will settle down a little as a couple of mid-majors debut. Males hungry for R-rated action will turn to Sicario: Day of the Soldado, while teens and young adults look for entertainment in Uncle Drew. Of course, both are not expected to take first or second place, as the dinos and superheroes are likely to stay perched. But, they should both still pull in respectable numbers. Predictions post coming Wednesday or Thursday. :)
