Universal’s “Kung Fu Panda 4” Secures Box Office Victory for Second Weekend
Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation’s latest installment, “Kung Fu Panda 4,” continues to dominate the domestic box office, raking in an impressive $30 million in its second weekend of release. The animated family film, known for its lovable and hilarious characters, has now accumulated a total of $107.7 million in North America and $176.5 million globally in just a mere ten days.
Mark Wahlberg’s “Arthur the King” Struggles at the Box Office
On the other hand, Mark Wahlberg’s canine drama, “Arthur the King,” faced a disappointing debut as it opened to just $7.5 million from 3,003 theaters, landing in third place. Lionsgate, the studio behind the heartwarming tale of a man and a wounded stray dog, had spent $19 million on the film, but its modest budget may cushion the blow of its box office shortcomings. Critics were not particularly enthusiastic about “Arthur the King,” managing to earn it a 64% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite this, moviegoers resonated more with the film and gave it an impressive “A” grade on CinemaScore.
“The American Society of Magical Negroes” Fails to Make Its Mark at the Box Office
Another new release, Focus Features’ satirical comedy “The American Society of Magical Negroes,” stumbled to the ninth spot in the rankings. Even with a more limited release, collecting a mere $1.25 million from 1,146 venues, the film failed to generate substantial buzz. Unfortunately, the movie’s prospects may not improve with a 30% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Helmed by first-time director Kobi Libii, the movie stars Justice Smith and David Alan Grier, and revolves around a young man’s involvement in an organization aimed at making the lives of white people easier.
“Dune: Part Two” Claims Strong Second Place
In a closely contested battle, “Dune: Part Two” secures a mighty $29 million from 3,847 venues during its third weekend in theaters, securing the runner-up spot. The sci-fi sequel, known for its stunning visuals and captivating storyline, has amassed a noteworthy $205 million in North America and has soared past the $400 million mark worldwide. In fact, “Dune: Part Two” is expected to surpass the worldwide box office success of its predecessor, which earned $433 million and was also released concurrently on HBO Max in the U.S. and Canada.
“Imaginary” Thrills Audiences at a Respectable Fourth Place
Lionsgate’s Blumhouse thriller, “Imaginary,” portrays an enthralling horror story of a woman haunted by her old teddy bear, Chauncey. The film manages to secure a fourth-place position, earning $5.5 million from 3,118 locations in its two weeks of release. Considering its budget of around $11 million, “Imaginary” will likely maintain its positive trajectory at the box office and bring in decent returns for the studio.
“Cabrini” Finishes in the Top Five
Angel Studio’s faith-based biographical drama, “Cabrini,” continues to resonate with audiences, settling at the fifth spot in the box office rankings for the past week. The film, currently playing in 2,850 theaters, added $2.9 million to its domestic tally, propelling its total earnings to $13 million.
Box Office Outlook and Hope for April
While the domestic box office remains 9.6% behind last year’s figures, Comscore reports indicate a promising future. Upcoming releases, Sony’s fantasy-comedy sequel “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” releasing on March 22, and Warner Bros. and Legendary’s monster mashup “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” releasing on March 29, aims to gather momentum and close the month on a high note.
Analysts Optimistic About Upcoming Releases
Paul Dergarabedian, a senior Comscore analyst, expresses enthusiasm for the box office potential of “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” and “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.” Dergarabedian believes that the combined release of these highly anticipated films will provide a boost to the year-to-date box office earnings, setting the stage for a promising summer movie season.
