The big-budget action adventure has been positioned as a key test of Holland’s bankability outside of his blockbuster success as Spider-Man. “Uncharted” has received mixed reviews, at best, so it’s safe to assume the 25-year-old British actor had a healthy hand in selling tickets.
It also helps that “Uncharted” is rated PG-13 and based on one of the most popular video games. Directed by Ruben Fleischer, who previously led Tom Hardy’s comic book tentpole “Venom” to box office glory, “Uncharted” is expected to earn US$52 million through today’s President’s Day holiday in the United States.
It’s an impressive start in Covid times, but it doesn’t mean the film has an easy path to profitability. “Uncharted” carries a US$120 million price tag, so international ticket sales will be key in getting out of the red.
To that end, “Uncharted” crucially landed a release date in China, the world’s biggest theatrical market, where visual effects-heavy action-adventures tend to play well.
But recently the country’s censors have been ultra-selective about letting Hollywood movies screen in its cinemas; and when the Chinese government does approve non-local products, it’s been a real mixed bag at the box office.
So the film’s success there remains to be seen and, since “Uncharted” isn’t opening in China until March 14, piracy could be a concern.
Outside of China, “Uncharted” has been a favourite. Already, the movie has earned roughly US$55 million at the international box office and has crossed US$100 million globally.
The film follows the globe-trotting treasure hunter Nathan Drake and his wisecracking partner Sully (Mark Wahlberg, who was once attached to play Nathan Drake but has since aged out of the role) as they embark on a death-defying quest to uncover the greatest treasure never found.
Complicating matters, the fearless explorers race against two baddies (Antonio Banderas and Tati Gabrielle) to locate the fabled fortunes. Audiences have awarded the film a “B+” CinemaScore.
“Uncharted” ruled over box office charts, but it wasn’t the only new nationwide release to beat expectations. Channing Tatum’s PG-13 canine adventure “Dog” landed in second place with US$15.1 million, a great start for a film that’s not based on comic book characters or an existing film franchise.
Holland, and Sony, had a particularly good weekend, also grabbing the third spot with the enduring success of blockbuster “Spider-Man: No Way Home”, which took in US$7.2 million in three days, and is the third-highest grossing domestic release ever.
Slipping three spots from last weekend, when it topped the box office, was 20th Century’s murder mystery “Death on the Nile”, based on a 1937 Agatha Christie novel.
Directed by Kenneth Branagh – who stars as elaborately moustached Belgian detective Hercule Poirot – it took in US$6.3 million in three days. Spoiler alert: the moustache gets a backstory of its own.
And in fifth spot was Paramount’s “Jackass Forever”, which took in US$5.2 million, slipping from second spot last weekend. The irreverent gross-out comedy stars Johnny Knoxville (a co-producer) and his merry pranksters.
Rounding out the top 10 were:
Marry Me (US$3.7 million)
Sing 2 (US$2.8 million)
Scream (US$2 million)
Blacklight (US$1.8 million)
The Cursed (US$1.7 million)