“ Kung Fu Panda 4 ” topped the North American box office in its second weekend. Sunday studio estimates showed $30 million in ticket sales for the Universal and DreamWorks Animation film.
Since 2008, the Jack Black-voiced franchise has grossed over $1.9 billion at the cinema office and inspired various animated programs, shorts, video games, and a holiday special. The fourth film has grossed $107.7 million domestically at 4,067 North American venues.
Lionsgate's Mark Wahlberg dog movie "Arthur the King," Focus Features' comedic satire "The American Society of Magical Negroes," and A24's Kristen Stewart-led bodybuilding thriller "Love Lies Bleeding" opened in over 1,000 theaters this weekend.
Franchises nevertheless dominated the charts, including "Dune: Part Two," which finished second in its third weekend with $29.1 million. Only 37% less than previous weekend. It earned $205.3 million domestically. The first picture, released simultaneously in cinemas and on streaming, grossed $435 million worldwide, while “Part Two” has grossed roughly $500 million.
Arthur the King was the best newcomer, finishing third with $7.5 million from 3,003 locations. The studio expected $8–10 million this weekend. Low production costs and worldwide presales should boost revenues.
Based on the true story of an adventure racer who meets a stray dog on a dangerous 435-mile trek in the Dominican Republic, Simon Cellan Jones directed and Michael Brandt wrote the film. Simu Liu is Wahlberg's teammate. With an A CinemaScore, the studio hopes favorable word-of-mouth will drive sales in future weeks.
“Love Lies Bleeding” grossed $2.5 million in 1,362 theaters. A pulpy '80s Western thriller directed by Rose Glass (Saint Maud) follows a lonely gym manager (Stewart) and a bodybuilder (Katy O'Brian) coming through town.
“The American Society of Magical Negroes” grossed $1.3 million in 1,147 cinemas. According to exit data, 52% of opening weekend attendees were Black. The Kobi Libii-directed film is a satire about a secret Black club that helps whites. David Alan Grier and Justice Smith star.
Poor Things earned $2.3 million globally in the weekend after the Oscars, bringing its total to $112.6 million. Next weekend, “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” will hit theaters with proton packs and brand familiarity.
“When there’s not a newcomer dominating the marketplace, it makes for a rather slow weekend,” said Comscore senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian. "Now we're waiting for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. That combination should end March well.”
He said: “We’ll need patience until May and ‘The Fall Guy’ and summer movie season. But amazing movies are coming.” Comscore estimates U.S. and Canadian theater ticket sales for Friday through Sunday. Final domestic figures are due Monday.
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