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 In a first for the Marvel
Cinematic Universe, the film opened
simultaneously in theaters and on Disney Plus as
part of the streaming service's Premier Access
offering, where subscribers can rent "Black
Widow" for an extra $30. Disney reported that
"Black Widow" generated more than $60 million
"in Disney Plus Premier Access consumer spend
globally," marking the rare occasion in which a
studio discloses revenues for digital rentals.
Overseas, "Black Widow" collected $78 million in
its debut, boosting its global box office haul
to $158 million.
Disney didn't share viewership data for the
previously released "Cruella" starring Emma
Stone and the animated "Raya and the Last
Dragon," which also premiered simultaneously in
theaters and on Disney Plus. It's unclear if
Disney will continue to report digital rentals
for the upcoming action adventure "Jungle
Cruise," which opens in cinemas and on Disney
Plus on July 30.
In a statement on Sunday morning, Disney's media
and entertainment distribution chairman Kareem
Daniel said "'Black Widow's' strong performance
this weekend affirms our flexible distribution
strategy of making franchise films available in
theaters for a true cinematic experience and, as
COVID concerns continue globally, providing
choice to consumers who prefer to watch at home
on Disney Plus."
After a brutal year and change for the movie
theater business, the performance of "Black
Widow" is encouraging to Hollywood and film
exhibitors alike. David A. Gross, who runs the
movie consulting firm Franchise Entertainment
Research, says Marvel remains in a league of its
own at the box office. After all, few film
franchises would still be able to galvanize
audiences 24 films in.
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 "Certainly the figure would be
higher if every theater were open, if there were
zero concern with COVID, and if there weren't a
streaming option," Gross says. "For now, those
impediments make 'Black Widow's' opening all the
more impressive." Universal's
"F9: The Fast Saga" came in a distant second
place with $10.8 million. Since it released on
the big screen three weeks ago, the action
sequel starring Vin Diesel has generated $141
million in North America. At the international
box office, "F9" crossed the $400 million mark,
boosting its global total to $541.8 million.
Universal also took third and fourth place on
domestic box office charts with "Boss Baby:
Family Business" ($8.7 million) and "The Forever
Purge" ($6.7 million). "The Boss Baby" sequel
and the most recent "Purge" installment each
opened theatrically over the July 4 holiday
weekend and have now collected $34.7 million and
$27.4 million, respectively.
Paramount's "A Quiet Place Part II" took the
fifth spot with $3 million, pushing its domestic
tally to $150 million, the biggest result yet
for a movie released during the pandemic.
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