Riding largely positive reviews, the latest big-budget action film featuring the iconic superhero from Warner Bros and DC Studios earned US$57.3 million in the United States and Canada, Exhibitor Relations said.
That puts its North American take at US$235 million and its international sales at US$171 million – or US$406 million globally.
“Jurassic World: Rebirth” – the latest instalment in the blockbuster dinosaur saga – also held its ground in second place at US$23.4 million. Its worldwide total stands at US$647.2 million.
The Universal film, starring Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey and Mahershala Ali, takes viewers to an abandoned island research facility, where secrets – and genetically mutated dinosaurs – are lurking.
“I Know What You Did Last Summer,” a sequel to two 1990s slasher hits that bring back the franchise’s original stars Freddie Prinze Jr and Jennifer Love Hewitt, opened in third place at a disappointing US$13 million.
“This is another horror series returning after a long layoff, in this case after 27 years,” said industry analyst David A Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research.
“Generally, the layoffs don’t bother these films; in fact, they get stronger… that’s not happening here.”
“Smurfs,” the latest film featuring the adorable blue creatures and starring Rihanna as Smurfette, opened in a lacklustre fourth place with US$11 million in North American ticket sales.
“F1: The Movie,” the Apple and Warner Bros. flick starring Brad Pitt as a washed-up Formula One driver who gets one last shot at redemption, finished in fifth place at US$9.6 million.
“The current lineup in theatres is strong, with a broad selection of big titles including superheroes, action, monsters, horror and animation,” said Gross.
“Superman” will soon get a new superhero rival when Marvel’s hotly anticipated “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” starring Pedro Pascal hits theatres in the coming days.
Rounding out the top 10 were:
- “How to Train Your Dragon” (US$5.4 million)
- “Eddington” (US$4.3 million)
- “Elio” (US$2.0 million)
- “Lilo & Stitch” (US$1.5 million)
- “28 Years Later” (US$1.3 million)