As expected, Spider-Man: Far From Home managed to take first place. Despite some sequelitis concerns, this installment settled the industry's worries. It came in ahead of expectations with an estimated $185.1 million over its' six day launch (over the weekend proper, it pulled in $93.6 million). Sony had expected $140 million over the six day stretch and analysts thought maybe it would hit $150-160 million. Instead, Far From Home wound up pulling in the biggest six-day opening ever for this frame, ahead of fellow webslinger flick Spider-Man 2 ($180 million from its' six-day launch in 2004, unadjusted for inflation of course). Of course, Far From Home's numbers are ahead of 2017's Homecoming ($117 million), but the numbers aren't exactly apples-to-apples as that movie had a Friday launch. Overall reception has been strong critically and from audiences ("A" CinemaScore), so there's no reason to believe this won't play well through the rest of the summer. The tie-in to earlier this summer's Avengers: Endgame also helped boost overall anticipation.Overseas numbers are also strong. After a strong $111 million launch in China last week, the film added another $240 million from most overseas territories. Including the domestic numbers, the film has already picked up $580 million worldwide in two weeks. At this rate, the film stands a strong chance at eventually reaching the $1 billion mark. Sony produced the film for a reported $160 million. (I will have a review up for Far From Home later this week)
After two weeks on top, Toy Story 4 retreated to the runner-up spot. Pixar's latest did hold fairly admirably this weekend, off 43% to $34.3 million. In 17 days, the animated flick has picked up a strong $306.6 million, still ahead of Toy Story 3 ($289.1 million) through the same point. That film was off 49% in its' third weekend. Overseas, the film is still strong, with the worldwide gross at $650 million in three weeks. However, it's pretty much opened in all markets (except Japan), so a $1 billion finish now doesn't look likely. But, even if it tops at $850-900 million, I don't think anyone will be upset.
Holding solidly in third place was Yesterday, which was off 37% to $10.8 million. For a summer release, it's a very good hold. The Beatles-inspired musical has earned a very solid $36.9 million in 10 days, and looks to continue playing strong for Universal (Warner Bros. will be trying a similar approach in August with the Bruce Springsteen-inspired Blinded by the Light).
Annabelle Comes Home didn't hold great, but it didn't hold terribly for a horror flick either. The latest installment in the Conjuring universe was off 52% to $9.8 million, for a fairly decent $50.2 million in 12 days. The horror sequel could make its way to the $70-75 million vicinity, but its shining even brighter overseas, with nearly $100 million picked up internationally so far.
Continuing to play strong was Disney's Aladdin remake, which was off a light 25% in its seventh weekend to $7.6 million. In 49 days, the leggy hit has earned a robust $320.8 million, along with $600 million overseas. It will have one more weekend to play before The Lion King opens on the 19th. How it holds screens against that film will determine whether or not it will reach $1 billion worldwide.
Oddly, Spider-Man wasn't the only new nationwide release. A24 released psychological horror flick Midsommar to decent results. With $6.6 million over the weekend proper (mild $2,424 per-venue average), it has earned $10.9 million since its Wednesday launch. Analysts were all over the place here as they couldn't exactly pinpoint where this was going to land. But the Ari Aster flick managed to pull in relatively good results in a busy marketplace. Audiences gave it a mixed "C+" CinemaScore.
The Secret Life of Pets 2 continued to play, off 35% in its fifth weekend to $4.8 million. The animated sequel has earned $140.7 million in one month of release, on its way to a finish around $155 million. Worldwide, its at $265 million with not too much to go. It will finish with around one-third of the original's $875 million worldwide gross. Another underwhelming sequel, Men in Black: International followed with a 46% decline to $3.6 million. The reboot has earned a weak $72 million in 24 days, along with about $250 million worldwide.
Still playing in re-release, Avengers: Endgame earned a 10th (non-consecutive) weekend in the Top 10. It fell 49% to $3.1 million, for a phenomenal $847.9 million pick-up in 77 days. Worldwide, the film has made it to $2.772 billion, just $15.5 million behind Avatar's first place record. There's not going to be enough steam left stateside for it to reach it, but Disney might pull a Labor Day re-issue internationally out of their hats to get it to that mark. Time will tell.
Rounding out the Top 10 was Rocketman, which was off just 30% to $2.8 million. Elton John's biopic is at a solid $89.2 million in six weeks of release. While it will likely fall short of the century mark, its' still earned over double its $40 million production budget stateside (and over four times its' budget worldwide).
Next weekend, two more moderate releases debut as Spider-Man is likely to remain perched at #1. Comedy Stuber and action thriller Crawl will both likely settle for debuts in the teens millions. Look for predictions on Thursday.
