The long-awaited release of Universal/DreamWorks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda 4 has taken the box office by storm, raking in an impressive $50M+ in its domestic opening weekend. This marks the second highest opening for the franchise, only behind the original movie’s debut back in 2008. The film, which is being shown in 3,900 theaters, has also achieved the title of the second biggest start for a DWA title under Universal’s ownership. The movie is drawing in audiences of all ages, with both males and females under 25 showing great interest. However, it is important to note that there has been no review rating from Rotten Tomatoes at this time.
Legendary Entertainment/Warner Bros’ Dune: Part Two has been maintaining its momentum at the box office, bringing in $8.1M on Tuesday alone. With a total of $98M in earnings over five days, the star-studded space epic is on track to cross the $100M mark in just six days. Industry experts are predicting a slight decline in earnings in the upcoming weekend, with second weekend presales in Imax theaters looking promising. It is projected to reach around $39M in total. The film’s impressive performance is a testament to its captivating storyline and talented ensemble cast.
Lionsgate has introduced a new contender in the form of the Blumhouse PG-13 title, Imaginary, a horror film centered around a teddy bear that terrorizes a family. With a production budget of $10M, the film is expected to open to $10M-$14M. Despite not being released by Universal, the film has found a home at Lionsgate due to the strong relationship between Jason Blum and Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chair Adam Fogelson. On the other hand, Angel Studio’s nun biopic, Cabrini, is making waves with its story of a resilient immigrant woman who overcomes adversity to build an empire of hope in New York City. Boasting positive reviews from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, the film is anticipated to appeal to an older female demographic.
A24’s Sundance World Premiere, Love Lies Bleeding, is gearing up to make its mark in arthouse theaters this spring. The film, starring Kristen Stewart and Katy O’Brian, follows the tale of a gym manager and an amateur bodybuilder taking on the former’s gun-running father. With a strong 91% fresh rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie is generating considerable buzz among arthouse enthusiasts. Opening in select theaters in NYC and LA, Love Lies Bleeding is projected to have a per-screen average between $30K-$50K, indicating a potential sleeper hit in the making.
This weekend’s box office landscape is filled with a diverse array of films catering to different audience demographics. From family-friendly animations to gripping horror tales and emotional biopics, there is something for everyone at the movies. As the thawing of the winter box office continues, it will be interesting to see how these films perform in the coming weeks and whether they will maintain their momentum or face stiff competition from upcoming releases.