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 In a win for original content, Tarantino's R-rated ode to
Hollywood's golden age opened with $40 million from 3,659 North
American theaters, a career best for the filmmaker. The movie
also scored an opening day record for Tarantino, amassing $16.8
million on Friday.
"Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" came in second place behind "The
Lion King," which collected another $75.5 million, down roughly
60% from its inaugural outing. Jon Favreau's remake of the
animated classic has generated $350 million at the domestic box
office, making it the fourth-biggest release of the year after
10 days in theaters. Overseas, "The Lion King" has earned $612
million for a worldwide bounty of $963 million.
"The Lion King" continues to strengthen Disney's reign over the
domestic box office. The studio now owns the five-highest
grossing movies of the year with "Avengers: Endgame" ($856
million), "Captain Marvel" ($426 million), "Toy Story 4" ($395
million), "The Lion King" ($350 million) and "Aladdin" ($345
million).
Heading into the weekend, Sony tempered expectations for "Once
Upon a Time in Hollywood," estimating a $30 million start given
the mid-summer debut for a film that isn't based on existing IP
or part of a franchise. The movie has the benefit of positive
reviews -- and the rare chance to see Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad
Pitt share the big screen -- but it will need to rely on word of
mouth to continue drawing crowds throughout popcorn season. It
received a B CinemaScore from audiences, compared to the A-
score for his most recent hits, 2009's "Inglourious Basterds"
and 2012's "Django Unchained."
"Inglorious Basterds," which also starred Pitt and debuted
during summer, launched with $38 million and ended its box
office run with $120 million in North America and $321 million
worldwide. "Django Unchained," Tarantino's biggest box office
success to date, bowed with $30 million over the holidays, and
went on to earn $425 million globally.
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"Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" -- Tarantino's ninth feature and
the first made without the help of disgraced producer Harvey
Weinstein -- cost $90 million to produce, making it one of his
most expensive films. The movie follows DiCaprio and Pitt as an
aging actor and his longtime stunt double who are struggling to
find their place in show biz. At the same time, Sharon Tate
(Margot Robbie), the up-and-coming actress married to director
Roman Polanski, moves next door. The drama, which pays tribute
to the golden age of Hollywood, is set in the late 1960s against
the backdrop of the Manson family murders.
Since "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" was the only newcomer to movie
theater marquees, holdovers rounded out box office charts. Sony's
"Spider-Man: Far From Home" landed at No. 3, adding $12.2 million.
After four weeks in theaters, the superhero adventure has made a
mighty $344 million. It has now passed the domestic totals of 2017's
"Spider-Man: Homecoming" ($334 million) and Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man
3" ($336 million).
In fourth place, Disney's "Toy Story 4" generated $10 million in its
sixth outing, boosting North American revenues to $395 million. The
animated family film brought in $19 million this weekend at the
international box office, taking ticket sales to $522 million
overseas and $918 million worldwide. Paramount's gator thriller
"Crawl" placed fifth with $4 million for a domestic tally of $31
million.
Prior to this weekend, the domestic box office was down over 7% from
last year. Now, ticket sales are behind 6.5%, according to ComScore.
That figure could continue to shrink when "Fast & Furious" spinoff
"Hobbs & Shaw" hits theaters next weekend.
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