Audiences say we go to the cinema” super mario bros movie This weekend. The Universal and Illumination animated feature grossed $204.6 million in its first five days in 4,343 North American theaters, including $1.464 over the weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday. One hundred million U.S. dollars.
With an estimated international revenue of $173 million and a worldwide total of $377 million, “Mario” beats video game adaptations ($210 million over “Warcraft”) and animated films ($358 million for “Frozen 2”). )record of.
Its worldwide gross makes it the biggest opening of 2023 and the second-biggest three-day domestic animated debut (behind Finding Nemo). It’s also a record for Illumination, the animation studio behind such successful franchises as Minions, whose 13 films have grossed more than $5 billion.
“This incredible partnership between Nintendo and Illumination has resulted in this extraordinary performance,” said Jim Orr, President of Domestic Publishing, Universal.
PG-rated “Mario” is the origin story of Brooklyn plumber Mario, voiced by Chris Pratt and Luigi (Charlie Day), who falls into a pipe and arrives in an alternate world filled with Nintendo’s most famous characters , from Bowser (Jack Black) to Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy). Critics were mostly mixed. Mario currently has a 56% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. But audiences love it even more, giving it an A CinemaScore.
Orr said theater owners were surprised by the breadth of the audience and reported seeing some ticket buyers wearing costumes of characters from the movie. According to exit polls, 59% of the audience was male and 45% were between the ages of 18 and 34.
“The staggering $377 million worldwide revenue is a testament to how important the outdoors is to families,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore. “Kids and their parents are able to go out together and host outdoor activities for the whole family at a relatively cheap price compared to travel or sporting events.”
Plus, Dergarabedian pointed out, there’s still a long runway ahead of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” Opening May 5.
“It was the perfect launch date,” Dergarabedian said.
“Mario” isn’t the only movie based on a certain brand hitting theaters this week. Ben Affleck’s “Air,” about the origins of Nike’s Air Jordan and how the company signed Michael Jordan, was also on Wednesday at 3,507 Theatrical release. The film, which marks Amazon Studios’ first global release, has grossed an estimated $20.2 million since its North American release on Wednesday, including a fourth-highest weekend gross of $14.5 million.
The R-rated “Air,” starring Matt Damon, Viola Davis and Affleck, is a bit of an adult counter-show to “Mario” dominance. The film premiered with a surprise screening at last month’s South by Southwest Film Festival, where it was a hit and received rave reviews (95% on Rotten Tomatoes). Men accounted for 55% of the audience, and 39% were over 45 years old.
“‘Air’ found its audience. It was a solid hit,” Dergarabedian said. “This one is long-term.”
“Air” was the first movie Affleck and Damon’s New Company Artists Equity, which was formed last year in partnership with RedBird Capital.
In second place was John Wick 4, which earned $14.6 million in its third weekend, bringing its total to $147.1 million. It was followed by “Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” which finished third with $14.5 million in its second weekend, and “Scream VI” with $3.3 million. Top five.
In limited edition, Kelly Reichardt’s art-centric ” Appearstarring Michelle Williams and Hong Zhou, also bowed across four screens and grossed $66,932.
“It’s such a big weekend for theaters, the last leg into the summer movie season, it’s a perfect scenario,” Dergarabedian said. “When many thought the game was over, the movie theater game began.”
U.S. and Canadian theater ticket sales are expected Friday through Sunday, according to Comscore. Final domestic data will be released on Monday.
1. “Super Mario Bros. Movie,” $146.4 million.
2. “John Wick: Chapter 4,” $14.6 million.
3. “Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” $14.5 million.
4. “Airborne,” $14.5 million.
5. “Scream VI,” $3.3 million.
6. “His Only Son,” $3.3 million.
7. “Tenet III,” $2.8 million.
8. “Shazam! Wrath of the Gods,” $1.6 million.
9. “Paint,” $750,000.
10. “One Thousand and One,” $600,000.
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Follow Associated Press film writer Lindsay Barr on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ldbahr.
Lindsay Barr, Associated Press
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