Huge debut sequel scores – Variety

Sony

“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” grossed $120.5 million in its domestic box office debut. Exceeding expectations, the film had the second-biggest opening weekend of the year, behind only Super Mario Bros. Ultimate. which grossed $146 million, as well as the third-biggest opening weekend for any Spider-Man film.

Sony’s animated sequel benefits from rave reviews, positive word of mouth, as well as goodwill from its predecessor, 2018’s Oscar-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Initial ticket sales were much higher than the first film, which introduced audiences to Miles Morales and the idea that “anyone can wear a mask” and opened it to just $35.5 million. But it stayed in theaters for a while, ending its big screen run with $190 million in North America and $384 million worldwide.

“Across the Spider-Verse” took in another $88.1 million in its international box office debut, led by China with $17.3 million. That brings its worldwide total to $208.6 million to start.

“This is an exceptionally good start for an animated sequel,” says David A. Gross, who runs film consultancy Franchise Entertainment Research. “Spider-Verse has taken a beloved superhero, given the narrative an original visual and sound style, and created a one-of-a-kind experience.”

Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K Thompson directed “Across the Spider-Verse,” which cost $100 million. The story follows Miles and Gwen Stacy (aka Spider-Woman) as they try to save their fellow spiders from a villain who goes by the name of Spot. Shamick Moore and Hailee Steinfeld return to voice Miles and Gwen, while the rest of the voice cast includes Brian Tyree Henry, Essa Ray, Jason Schwartzman, Daniel Kaluuya, and Oscar Isaac. Audiences gave the film an “A” on CinemaScore while critics gave it an average of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. Other than “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” it’s been a minute since a superhero movie has received this kind of praise.

“Across the Spider-Verse” took first place, but it wasn’t the only newcomer to the box office charts. Disney and the 20th century movie “The Boogeyman,” an adaptation of Stephen King’s short story of the same name, opened in third place with $12.3 million from 3,205 theaters. Horror Story added $7.7 million at the international box office, bringing its weekend total to $20 million worldwide.

The film, which came in slightly below expectations, was originally slated to debut on Hulu and cost $35 million to produce. Critics and audiences were mixed for The Boogeyman, starring “Yellowjackets” actress Sophie Thatcher and Chris Messina. It has a score of 60% on Rotten Tomatoes and has a “B-” CinemaScore.

The Disney remake of “The Little Mermaid,” starring Halle Bailey as Ariel and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, slipped to second place grossing $40.6 million from 4,320 slots in its second weekend of release. That’s a 57% drop from its debut. To date, “The Little Mermaid” has grossed $186 million in North America. Overseas, Tale of the Deep Sea collected $42 million in its sophomore outing, bringing its international tally to $140 million and its worldwide total to $326 million.

Three Disney films rounded out the top five, such as Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 ”4th place with $ 10.2 million. To date, the superhero Three Quil has grossed $332 million domestically and $780 million globally.

Universal’s “Fast X” rounded out the top five, adding $9.2 million from 3,467 locations in its third edition. It generated $128 million at the domestic box office, which is not that much for a blockbuster of its size. However, it fared much better at the international box office with $474 million, with worldwide ticket sales of over $600 million.