Alex Garland’s ‘Civil War,’ a dystopian political action film, continues to captivate audiences across the United States, securing the top spot at the box office for the second consecutive weekend with an impressive $11 million haul. This achievement brings the film’s domestic total to $45 million, a significant feat for A24, the indie studio behind the production.
‘Abigail’ Fails to Unseat ‘Civil War’
Despite high expectations, Universal’s new vampire-themed movie ‘Abigail’ opened with $10.2 million, falling just short of dethroning ‘Civil War.’ The film, directed by the notable duo Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett of Radio Silence, explores the eerie tale of a kidnapped 12-year-old ballerina who reveals herself as a vampire. While the domestic opening was strong, ‘Abigail’ struggled internationally, garnering only $5 million from 62 markets for a global debut of $15.2 million.
Other Notable Performances
Guy Ritchie’s ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,’ featuring Henry Cavill, also made its debut this weekend, earning $9 million. The movie, based loosely on historical events, recounts a covert WWII operation aimed at sabotaging Nazi U-boats and received an A- CinemaScore.
Legendary’s monster sequel ‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’ continued its robust performance in its fourth week, earning $9.8 million and surpassing the $485 million mark worldwide, thanks in large part to its $119 million earnings in China.
Animated and Family Films Hold Their Ground
DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ and Sony/Crunchyroll’s ‘Spy × Family Code: White’ vied closely for the fourth place. The latter, a continuation of the popular Japanese anime series, premiered with $4.9 million, slightly outperforming ‘Kung Fu Panda 4,’ which added $4.6 million to a domestic total nearing $180 million.
Looking Ahead
As Hollywood anticipates the summer blockbuster season, the industry faces challenges with year-to-date revenues lagging nearly 20 percent behind last year and 33 percent from 2019. The upcoming U.S. release of Luca Guadagnino’s ‘Challengers,’ featuring Zendaya and delayed by the SAG-AFTRA strike, is eagerly awaited as studios hope for a rebound in cinema attendance.
Wrapping Up
With ‘Civil War’ and ‘Abigail’ leading the charge, the box office landscape is set for an intriguing summer. For further updates on upcoming releases and detailed film reviews, visit hitplay.app.
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