‘Ghostbusters’ ices out competition as ‘Dune’ worms its way above US$570 million
GHOSTBUSTERS: Frozen Empire scared its way to the top of the North American box office this weekend, taking in an estimated US$45.2 million in what one analyst called a “unique and impressive opening.”
“Only four other comedic series in the last 27 years have lasted five episodes,” analyst David A Gross said, with ticket sales for the latest entry in Sony’s comedy series coming in “well above average for the genre.”
Still, with a US$100 million budget, Frozen Empire has a way to go to reach profitability.
Co-written by Jason Reitman, whose father Ivan Reitman directed the original Ghostbusters in 1984, the film teams a new cadre of ghost catchers (Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon) with the veterans (Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson) as they take on a frightening deity trying to launch a new Ice Age.
Meanwhile Warner Bros.’ sci-fi epic Dune: Part Two, about war and survival in an inhospitable sand-covered planet, again managed a strong second place, taking in an estimated US$17.6 million for the Friday-through-Sunday period.
It has now earned US$233.3 million in the US and Canada and US$341 million internationally, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported.
A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU
Lifestyle
Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself.
In third, dropping two spots from last weekend, was Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s martial arts comedy Kung Fu Panda 4, at US$16.8 million.
Immaculate, a new psychological horror film from indie studio Neon and starring Sydney Sweeney, placed fourth at US$5.4 million.
Sweeney, a graduate of hit TV series Euphoria and recent rom-com Anyone But You, plays a nun who - despite her virginity - becomes pregnant. Other nuns in her remote Italian convent at first treat her as the next Virgin Mary - but then things start getting creepy - very creepy.
And in fifth spot was Lionsgate’s Arthur the King, at US$4.4 million. Mark Wahlberg plays an adventurer who befriends an injured stray dog.
Rounding out the top 10 were:
Late Night With the Devil (US$2.8 million)
Imaginary (US$2.8 million)
Love Lies Bleeding (US$1.6 million)
Cabrini (US$1.4 million)
Bob Marley: One Love (US$1.1 million) AFP
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
Lifestyle
Former Zouk morphs into mod-Asian Jiak Kim House, serving laksa pasta and mushroom bak kut teh
Massimo Bottura lends star power to pizza and pasta at Torno Subito
Victor Liong pairs Aussie and Asian food with mixed results at Artyzen’s Quenino restaurant
If Jay Chou likes Ju Xing’s zi char, you might too
Mod-Sin cooking izakaya style at Focal
What the fish? Diving for flavour at Fysh – Aussie chef Josh Niland’s Singapore debut