James Gunn’s “Superman” Maintains Strong Box Office Performance
NEW YORK (AP) — James Gunn’s “Superman” continued to dominate North American box offices in its second weekend, earning $57.3 million in ticket sales and retaining its position as the top film, as per studio estimates released on Sunday.
Competition Lags Behind
New releases this week—“I Know What You Did Last Summer,” “Smurfs,” and “Eddington”—failed to challenge the success of Warner Bros. and DC Studios’ superhero film. “Superman” saw a 54% drop from its domestic opening weekend, a typical decline for a summer blockbuster.
Global Earnings and Future Challenges
In just two weeks, “Superman” has accumulated $406.8 million globally, marking a promising kick-off for DC Studios, which aims to revitalize its film operations. A significant test awaits next weekend when Disney unveils Marvel’s “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.”
Positive Reception Aids Box Office
With strong audience ratings and favorable reviews, the $225 million-budgeted “Superman” is positioned to achieve profitability soon. For Warner Bros. and DC Studios, the film is pivotal in initiating a decade-long strategy for their comic book adaptations. Co-heads Gunn and Peter Safra are focused on rejuvenating the struggling studio.
Other Films in the Spotlight
Meanwhile, Universal Pictures’ “Jurassic World: Rebirth” secured second place with $23.4 million in its third week, totaling $648 million worldwide. Apple Studios and Warner Bros.’ “F1: The Movie” also performed well, bringing in $9.6 million domestically while gaining another $29.5 million internationally, raising its global earnings to $460.8 million.
New Releases Struggle
However, the most anticipated new releases, Sony’s “I Know What You Did Last Summer” and Paramount’s “Smurfs,” did not meet expectations. “I Know What You Did Last Summer” earned $13 million, which, while decent for its $18 million budget, was disappointing for a renowned horror franchise. Reviews were poor, with a 38% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Box Office Overview
The “Smurfs” movie debuted in fourth place with $11 million and has received negative reviews (21% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes). On a brighter note, Ari Aster’s “Eddington” opened with $4.2 million, but continues to receive mixed reviews. Despite these setbacks, the summer box office overall is thriving, with a 15.9% increase compared to last year, marking total domestic sales around $2.6 billion.
Top 10 Movies by Domestic Box Office
As of Monday, here are the estimated ticket sales for the weekend at U.S. and Canadian theaters:
- 1. “Superman,” $57.3 million.
- 2. “Jurassic World: Rebirth,” $23.4 million.
- 3. “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” $13 million.
- 4. “Smurfs,” $11 million.
- 5. “F1: The Movie,” $9.6 million.
- 6. “How to Train Your Dragon,” $5.4 million.
- 7. “Eddington,” $4.3 million.
- 8. “Elio,” $2 million.
- 9. “Lilo & Stitch,” $1.5 million.
- 10. “28 Years Later,” $1.3 million.
