That figure represents the second-best domestic debut of the year behind Disney and Marvel’s “Avengers: Endgame” (US$357 million). It also marks the biggest opening yet for a Disney remake of its original cartoons.
Overseas, “The Lion King” felt the love with US$269 million for a global start of US$433 million. The film launched in China last weekend and has since earned US$98 million, boosting the worldwide haul to US$531 million.
The state-of-the-art technology used to bring the Pride Lands and its inhabitants to life drew a polarizing response from reviewers, but the newest version of Disney’s crown jewel proved to be critic-proof.
Moviegoers flocked en masse to see Simba’s grand return to the big screen, and to much enthusiasm. “The Lion King” holds an A CinemaScore.
Audiences also shelled out to see the hyper-realistic movie in the best quality possible. Imax theatres accounted for US$9 million of tickets sold, while US$25 million came from 3D screens.
“The Lion King” provided a much-needed jolt to the domestic box office. Heading into the weekend, box office receipts were pacing over 9% behind last year.
But the prospect of hearing Donald Glover’s Simba and Beyonce’s Nala harmonise to Disney classics was irresistible. Now, theatrical earnings are down just over 7%, according to Comscore.
As for Disney’s past reboots, 2017’s “Beauty and the Beast” bowed with US$174 million, while 2010’s “Alice in Wonderland” launched with US$116 million.
In 2016, Favreau’s “The Jungle Book” earned US$103 million in its inaugural weekend. “The Lion King” is the third classic Disney cartoon to get a big-screen makeover this year.
In May, Guy Richie’s “Aladdin” debuted with US$91.5 million. Earlier this year, Tim Burton’s “Dumbo” kicked off with US$45 million.
In a banner weekend for Disney, the studio is now home to the highest-grossing movie in history.
“Avengers: Endgame” crossed US$2.7892 billion at the global box office, officially dethroning James Cameron’s “Avatar.”
Since other Hollywood studios refrained from release a movie against “The Lion King,” a number of holdovers filled out domestic box office charts.
In a distant second place, Sony’s “Spider-Man: Far From Home” collected US$21 million during its third weekend in theatres, lifting domestic ticket sales to US$319 million.
The web-slinging superhero adventure has generated US$569 million at the international box office.
Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” landed in third, adding US$14 million from its fifth outing. That boosts revenues for the animated fourquel to US$375 million in North America.
At No 4, Paramount’s alligator thriller “Crawl” generated US$6 million for a domestic tally of US$23 million.
Rounding out the top five is Universal’s musical rom-com “Yesterday,” which pocketed US$5.1 million during its fourth weekend of release. The movie has grossed US$57.5 million to date.