That estimated total, while well below last year’s opening of Marvel’s “Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness” – which launched to the tune of US$187 million – was still “an excellent opening for a Marvel episode 3 sequel,” said analyst David A Gross, adding, “This is strong business.”
The latest tale of oddball intergalactic mercenaries, human and otherwise, again stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel – this time on a mission to save comrade Rocket Raccoon from a scientist intent on removing his brain.
The “Guardians” finally unseated Universal’s “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” from the top spot in its fifth week out. The video game-based film, which has earned more than a billion dollars globally, took in US$18.6 million for the Friday-through-Sunday period.
Warner Bros.’ blood-soaked horror film “Evil Dead Rise” dropped one spot to third, taking in US$5.7 million. It has two sisters (Lily Sullivan and Alyssa Sutherland) battling the demonic Deadites crew.
In fourth place, also down one spot, was Lionsgate comedy-drama “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” at US$3.4 million. Abby Ryder Fortson plays sixth-grader Margaret Simon as she navigates the challenges of that awkward age.
And in fifth spot was new Sony rom-com “Love Again,” at US$2.4 million. Priyanka Chopra Jonas plays a young woman trying to cope with the death of her fiance. Trying to help her do so is journalist and – spoiler alert: eventual love interest – Rob Burns, played by Sam Heughan. Celine Dion plays herself.
The film has a paltry 17 percent positive rating on website Rotten Tomatoes, with one critic calling it “lazy, misguided and uninspired.”
Rounding out the top 10 were:
- “John Wick: Chapter 4” (US$2.4 million)
- “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” (US$1.5 million)
- “Air” (US$1.4 million)
- “Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant” (US$1.2 million)
- “Sisu” (US$1.1 million)