It is truly a rare event when an action movie series earns bigger business with each installment. Back in 2014, many would think the original John Wick's $14 million launch and $43 million final gross wouldn't be considered enough to get a sequel. But the original found its fanbase on home video. And then it's sequel doubled overall business, with Chapter 2 pulling in $30 million for its debut and $90 million for a final gross. Well, John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum just about followed that same pattern, with the opening weekend pretty much doubling its predecessors' opening weekend. Parabellum outwitted tracking by a long shot with a strong $57 million opening weekend (huge $14,812 per-venue average). That's pretty close to last year's Mission: Impossible - Fallout's $61 million launch. Meanwhile, overseas numbers are fairly strong as well, with $92 million earned so far (and $142 million worldwide). With a $55 million budget and an "A-" CinemaScore, this looks to have solid holding power over the coming weeks.Of course, this means Avengers: Endgame has officially been kicked from the top spot. And, with extra competition for action fans this weekend, the film understandably fell 54% to $29.4 million. In 24 days, Endgame has grossed an incredible $770.8 million, passing Avatar ($760 million) for second place on the all-time list domestically. Next weekend should bring a stronger hold with the extended Memorial Day holiday weekend helping most titles out (and though Aladdin is opening, Disney releases both titles which can help in putting both in a double-feature at a drive-in for example). Overseas, Endgame is starting to fade, with another $46 million earned. However, it continues to be a monster, with $1.85 billion overseas so far, and $2.62 billion earned in less than a month. Right now its' tough to tell if it will ultimately beat Avatar's $2.78 billion record. It will depend on if it has enough gas left overseas in the coming month. Out of the numbers reported, China has earned over $600 million alone, a record for the country.
Following a solid debut last week, Detective Pikachu didn't exactly hold on very well. The adaptation of the popular video games was down 54% in its sophomore frame to $24.8 million, for a solid $94 million gross in 10 days. Aladdin will provide more competition next weekend, though the extended weekend should allow an overall better hold. Worldwide, Pikachu is already approaching $300 million in just two weeks.
Meanwhile, dog movies seem to be running out of steam. Universal attempted to open its' sequel to A Dog's Purpose, A Dog's Journey this weekend. But, a crowded marketplace for family films didn't help as the film opened to just $8 million in fourth place (weak $2,449 per-venue average). That was less than half of its' predecessors' $18 million start two years ago, and it also came in below A Dog's Way Home from earlier this year ($11.5 million). Overseas numbers aren't promising ($15 million so far), while the budget was presumably small (no budget was released). Audiences gave it a strong "A" CinemaScore, and Memorial Day Weekend could help it hold solidly. But, I do question the idea of this being a summer release with all the bigger films jockeying for attention. Perhaps a March or Fall release might have been a better idea. Universal and Amblin Entertainment didn't release the budget info.After an OK start, The Hustle fell 53% in its sophomore frame to $6.1 million. Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson have heisted a mediocre $23.1 million in 10 days, in what will likely be a finish around $35 million. Faring better in its third weekend was The Intruder, which was off 44% to $4 million. Dennis Quaid (who has two films in the Top 10 with this and Dog) and company have pulled in a solid $28.1 million in 17 days, with a $40 million finish possible. Intruder has been faring much better than Long Shot. The R-rated comedy was down 46% to $3.4 million, for a disappointing $25.7 million in 17 days. Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen will have to deal with a $35 million final gross.
Meanwhile, Warner Bros.' latest attempt at a young adult romance failed miserably (though the marketing effort was so slim they didn't seem like they had confidence in it anyway). The Sun is Also A Star earned only $2.6 million in eighth place (horrible $1,254 per-venue average), one of the worst starts ever for a nationwide release. With such a weak marketing effort and little awareness (plus no real starpower), this one was never expected to be big. Audiences gave it a decisively mixed reception, with an "B-" CinemaScore. Look for this to likely burn out quick in the coming weeks. Thankfully for Warners, the budget was only $9 million.Two STX Films disappointments followed. Poms was down an alarming 61% to $2.1 million, for a weak $10 million gross in 10 days. Thankfully, the budget was kept to that same amount, so any real losses will be minimal. The studio will lose more money for their animated effort, Uglydolls. The musical plummeted 61% in its third weekend to $1.6 million, for a dismal $17.2 million in 17 days, in what will likely be a finish at $20 million stateside. Overseas numbers are nonexistent.
And that's about it. Next weekend, Disney releases their remake of their 1992 classic, Aladdin, which has audiences sending mixed vibes. Also debuting in smaller release are R-rated comedy Booksmart and horror thriller Brightburn. I will have a predictions post up Thursday along with a review of Tolkien. :) Hope all has a great week!
