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 Marvel's first comic-book tentpole to spotlight a female
superhero surpassed $265 million in ticket sales domestically.
Overseas, "Captain Marvel" crossed $494 million for a massive
global haul of $760 million. In less than two weeks, "Captain
Marvel" has eclipsed the lifetime sums of numerous superhero
adventures, including "Ant-Man and the Wasp" ($623 million),
"Iron Man 2" ($624 million), "Thor: Dark World ($645 million),
and "Captain America: Winter Soldier" ($714 million). It's
already the 22nd-biggest comic-book release ever.
After a sluggish start to 2019, it has been "Captain Marvel" to
the rescue. Ticket sales are up over 3 percent from the same
weekend in 2018, according to Comscore. As a whole, the domestic
box office is still struggling to match last year's record with
receipts pacing 19 percent behind 2018.
Paramount Pictures' "Wonder Park," an animated adventure set in
an amusement park based on the imagination of a young girl,
bowed in second place and had the best start among new releases.
It arrived ahead of industry expectations with $16 million when
it launched in 3,838 locations, though it will need to pick up
steam to justify its healthy budget. Paramount spent nearly $100
million to produce the film, not including marketing and
distribution costs. Since the PG-rated "Wonder Park" appeals to
a younger crowd, the studio anticipates moviegoing will gain
traction as students will be out of school for spring break.
As expected, families accounted for 62 percent of "Wonder
Park's" opening weekend audience. "Wonder Park," featuring the
voices of Jennifer Garner, Matthew Broderick, John Oliver, and
Mila Kunis, was not well received among critics. Audiences were
slightly more enthusiastic, giving it a B+ CinemaScore.
Landing at No. 3 is CBS and Lionsgate's "Five Feet Apart," a
romantic drama about two teenagers who meet and fall in love
while being treated for cystic fibrosis. Directed by "Jane the
Virgin" actor Justin Baldoni, "Five Feet Apart" generated $13
million from 2,803 venues, a sizable start considering it
carries a $7 million price tag. Starring " The Edge of
Seventeen" and "Split" actress Haley Lu and Cole Sprouse, the
film catered mostly to young females. Women represented 82
percent of opening weekend crowds, while 45 percent were under
18 years old.
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Lionsgate has three films in the top 10 this weekend. The studio's
"Tyler Perry's A Madea Family Funeral" nabbed fifth place, adding $8
million for a domestic tally of $59 million. From Lionsgate's
Pantelion Films, "No Manches Frida 2" placed in sixth, earning $3.8
million from 472 theaters. That result is on par with the first
film, " No Manches Frida," which debuted with $3.6 million before
ending its box office run with $11.5 million.
Other new releases include Focus Features and Participant Media's
"Captive State." The fantasy thriller placed seventh on box office
charts, debuting with a disappointing $3 million from 2,547
theaters. Directed by "The Rise of the Planet of the Apes" filmmaker
Rupert Wyatt," "Captive State" was poorly received by both audiences
and critics. It carries a C- CinemaScore, along with a 43 percent on
Rotten Tomatoes.
Universal's "How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World" secured
fourth place, picking up $9.3 million from 3,727 locations. That
takes the conclusion of the animated trilogy past $135 million in
ticket sales in North America.
At the specialty box office, Focus Features' "The Mustang" amassed
$76,000 when it debuted in four theaters, averaging out to $18,950
per venue. The feature directorial debut of French actress Laure de
Clermont-Tonnerre, which follows a convict who participates in a
rehabilitation program that involves training wild mustangs, skewed
toward women as females made up 66 percent of its opening weekend
audience. The studio is expanding it to 50 theaters next weekend.
Meanwhile, Fox Searchlight's "The Aftermath" opened on five screens,
earning $57,000 over the three days ($11,500 per location). The war
drama stars Keira Knightley, Alexander Skarsgard, and Jason Clarke.
March looks to cap off a solid month at the domestic box office with
Jordan Peele's "Us" arriving next weekend and Disney's remake of "Dumbo"
hitting theaters shortly after. Both films are expected to debut
with over $35 million in ticket sales.
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