“Panda”, a martial-arts comedy from DreamWorks and Universal, took in an estimated US$58.3 million (RM273 million) for the Friday-through-Sunday period, according to industry watcher Exhibitor Relations, as Hollywood saw some improving results following a wan start to the year.
The film’s numbers were good enough – for part four of an animated series – to earn it a spot in an “elite” group including “Toy Story”, “Despicable Me/Minions”, “Ice Age” and “Shrek”, said analyst David A Gross. Jack Black voices panda Po as he battles a shape-shifting enemy.
Denis Villeneuve’s epic “Dune” sequel from Warner Bros, meanwhile, enjoyed a strong second weekend, earning a solid US$46 million. That pushed the domestic total for the extravagant sci-fi flick with its lavish cast to US$157 million. It has taken in an additional US$210 million internationally.
“Imaginary”, a new horror film from Blumhouse Productions and Lionsgate, came in third at US$10 million – not a huge figure, but one nearly equalling its modest production cost, a formula that keeps the horror films coming.
DeWanda Wise plays Jessica, who rediscovers her childhood teddy bear Chauncey – only to learn he’s not nearly as cute and cuddly as she once thought… certainly no Paddington or Pooh.
Fourth spot, with US$7.6 million, went to Angel Studios’ new faith-based drama “Cabrini”, about a Catholic nun in 19th-century New York who clashed with politicians and church officials while trying to care for poverty-stricken immigrants. Cristiana Dell’Anna plays Mother Frances Cabrini, who was canonised long after her death.
And in fifth place, slipping three spots from last weekend, was Paramount’s biopic “Bob Marley: One Love”, at US$4.1 million. Kingsley Ben-Adir plays the iconic reggae singer in the surprise box office hit, which has now taken in US$89.3 million in North America.
There was some good news for those gathering in Hollywood: the domestic box office was down just 3% this week from a three-year pre-pandemic average, Gross said – “good numbers” after a pallid January and February.
Rounding out the top 10 were:
- “Ordinary Angels” (US$2 million)
- “Madame Web” (US$1.1 million)
- “Migration” (US$1.1 million)
- “Yolo” (US$840,000)
- “The Chosen: S4 Ep. 7-8” (US$750,000)