The summer of slumping sequels continue as Men in Black: International failed to bring in successful business. The reboot/sequel earned $30 million in its debut (mild $7,111 per-venue average from over 4,200 locations). That's just over half of the original Men in Black's $51 million debut from 1997 (unadjusted for inflation) while 2012's Men in Black 3 earned $69 million in its four-day Memorial Day Weekend debut. Coming off weak reviews and a mixed "B" CinemaScore, audiences and critics don't seem like they are enjoying this effort too much. Not even Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson (from the Avengers movies) could help things out here. Overseas numbers were better, with a $74 million overseas launch ($103 million worldwide opening), but it's not nearly as impressive as the previous entry, which ended up at $450 million overseas. In many ways, it seems like the cards were stacked against distributor Sony on this one. The studio was hoping for a debut above $30 million, and the budget is reported at around $110 million.In better shape financially is The Secret Life of Pets 2, but it didn't quite hold well. The animated sequel was down 48% to $24.4 million, for a modest $92.7 million pick-up in 10 days, in line with 2011's Kung Fu Panda 2's 10-day gross ($92.7 million). It's also still behind the original's $103 million opening weekend. Overseas numbers (without China) are at around $65 million so far, as it braces for Toy Story 4 next weekend.
Between Avengers: Endgame and Aladdin, Disney has had the upper hand on audiences this summer. And the remake continues to play stronger than expected, with a light 30% drop this weekend to $17.3 million. It's earned a strong $264 million in 24 days, and unless Toy Story 4 takes a lot out of it, it should get above $300 million. It's also doing huge overseas, with $725 million worldwide with still some gas left. It could make a case for $900 million if it continues playing strong.
Meanwhile, up a spot to fourth place is Rocketman, which is starting to find some stamina. Elton John's biopic was off 32% to $9.4 million, for a solid $66.8 million gross in 17 days. Older adults should continue to keep the drops low coming up (Toy Story 4 won't be much of a factor for it). It's at $130 million worldwide so far.
Men in Black may have come in below expectations, but an even bigger shock was that the reboot of Shaft only managed to earn half of what was expected out of it. The Samuel L. Jackson flick opened in sixth place with a surprisingly weak $8.9 million (weak $3,015 per-venue average). Apparently there was just very little fanfare for this reboot. The audience that did come out for it loved it, giving it an "A" CinemaScore, but the opening seems too low to really generate much of a chance for gaining ground back. On a budget of $30-35 million, distributor Warner Bros. will be bracing for red ink here.
Speaking of Warner Bros., Godzilla: King of the Monsters hasn't performed particularly well either, despite a much better hold than last week. The sequel fell 43% to $8.8 million. With $94.4 million in 17 days, Monsters is on track for a finish around $115 million stateside. Overseas so far has pulled in nearly $250 million. If it can reach $400 million worldwide, it may break even, but that won't say much for Godzilla vs. Kong's chances next year. Finding some late-in-the-game momentum, John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum held very well in its fifth weekend, off a very light 14% to $6.4 million, for a strong $148.9 million in one month of release. Keanu Reeves and company have earned a strong $275 million worldwide, against a budget of around $75 million.
After a strong limited debut, Late Night got off to a more muted debut nationwide. Mindy Kaling and Emma Thompson reported up $5.3 million worth of business in ninth place (unimpressive $2,367 per-venue average). Overall buzz and awareness was relatively light heading into the weekend (and Thompson pretty much had two new movies this weekend with this and Men in Black). With a $4 million budget and a light marketing spend, the film should be able to break even with ancillary sales later on.
Rounding out the list in its eighth weekend is the blockbuster Avengers: Endgame, which was down a light 24% to $3.7 million, for a huge $830.7 million pick-up in 56 days. It's at $2.743 billion worldwide, $45 million behind first place Avatar. It should wind up around $30 million behind by the time its' done.
And that's about it. Next weekend will bring Disney and Pixar's long awaited Toy Story 4, which is expected to be massive. Counter-programming includes horror pic Child's Play, and Luc Besson's action flick Anna. Look for a predictions post on Thursday, along with a review for Secret Life of Pets 2. :)
