Of course, Disney ended up top again with their latest remake, Dumbo. However, the PG film didn't soar like analysts thought it would. The reboot of the 1941 animated flick earned $45 million in its launch (very good $10,566 per-theater average), behind Disney's $50 million projection and analysts $50-60 million expectations (I was on the optimistic side). Granted, buzz never seemed sky-high for this title. However, considering the strong marketing effort from the Mouse House, one has to wonder why this didn't have a stronger pull on families. There is a possibility that audiences may be getting tired of remakes of Disney films (there's been plenty in the last 3 or 4 years). It's also important to note that Dumbo is not one of the more well-known and loved Disney movies, as it lands closer to Pete's Dragon than Jungle Book or Beauty and the Beast. Overall reception from critics wasn't very positive either.
With an expensive $170 million pricetag, Disney is going to need strong holding power and international appeal to avoid red ink. Thankfully, the overseas numbers are stronger. A $71 million start from all international territories (including China and Japan) led the film to a $116 million worldwide launch. Of course, with all markets in play, we'll have to wait and see how it holds in the coming weeks. The film will need at least $400 million worldwide to break even, and that might seem like a stretch based on what I'm seeing.
Following a strong opening last week, Us held respectably in its sophomore frame. While a 53% drop isn't strong, its' par for the course for horror flicks. Earning $33.6 million, Jordan Peele's latest has pulled in a strong $128.2 million in 10 days. Next weekend will bring some competition in the form of the buzzy Pet Sematary remake, so the jury is out on if it will reach $200 million stateside.
Sharing double-features with Dumbo, Captain Marvel had its best hold yet in its fourth frame. Marvel's latest was off just 40% to $20.5 million, for a strong $353.8 million gross in 24 days. Next weekend will bring Shazam!, which will probably steal some of its audience. However, it remains a force overseas with the worldwide gross at $990 million and counting. It will become the 38th movie in history to pass $1 billion in the next two or three days.
With its' "A+" CinemaScore, Five Feet Apart is turning into a leggy hit. The romantic drama was off just 27% in its third frame to $6.3 million, for a solid $35.9 million gross in 17 days. If it continues to hold strong, it may finish above $50 million stateside, or over seven times its $7 million budget.
Meanwhile, earning fifth place was the controversial Unplanned. The Pure Flix movie surprised by doubling expectations, earning $6.1 million (solid $5,770 per-venue average). For the studio, this is their third-biggest launch behind the two God's Not Dead movies ($9.2 million and $7.6 million, respectively). Unplanned hit theaters in a timely spot, as politics have had a lot of discussion around the concept of abortion lately. The budget was a light $6 million, and its even more impressive how strong the film did considering it only opened in just over 1,000 locations and was denied commercial airtime by just about all major networks. With the film likely to expand next weekend, the big question is if it will be front-loaded or will word-of-mouth keep this one going? We will find more out next weekend.
Wonder Park was largely unharmed by Dumbo, as it had the same hold as last week. Down 44% to $4.9 million, the animated flick has earned a disappointing $37.9 million in 17 days. It should close around $50 million stateside. Faring even better was How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, which slid just 35% in its sixth weekend to $4.2 million. The franchise finale has earned $153 million in 42 days, and might make it to $165 million. It's also crossed $500 million worldwide.
Expanding to 900 locations, Hotel Mumbai earned a solid $3.2 million (mild $3,424 per-venue average), for a $3.3 million gross since its limited debut last week. If word-of-mouth is good, it should continue to play well in the weeks ahead. Continuing to defy gravity for Tyler Perry, A Madea Family Funeral held well again. Off 39% to $2.7 million, Madea's final laugh has earned a strong $70 million in one month of release in what's been a major win for Lionsgate.
Rounding out the Top 10 was the final new wide(ish) release, The Beach Bum. The latest from notorious director Harmony Korine failed to generate much attention, with $1.8 million (weak $1,636 per-venue average). A lack of any real awareness or buzz didn't help matters either for the stoner comedy, which is likely to fade fast.
And that's about it. Next weekend three newbies look to give a nice jolt to the box office. DC and Warner Bros. unleash their latest superhero epic Shazam! which is tracking for strong numbers next week. Paramount pulls out their remake of Pet Sematary which will hope to draw horror and Stephen King fans. And STX Entertainment enters the fray again with their historical drama The Best of Enemies. Look for a predictions post on Thursday. :) Hope all has a great week!!
