However, the film cost nearly $70 million to produce and even more to market so it will need to have a long, lucrative run in theaters in order to turn profit.
Opening weekend crowds were mostly older men, with 55% of ticket buyers identifying as male and 66% over the age of 25.
Falling not far behind, Paramount’s “A Quiet Place Part II” slid to second place with $9.4 million from 3,401 locations, representing a mere 22% drop from the weekend prior.
“In the Heights,” which is currently playing on HBO Max, has amassed $19.8 million on the big screen to date.
In third place, Sony’s family film “Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway” collected $6.1 million from 3,346 screens in its sophomore frame, bringing its domestic tally to $20.3 million through Sunday.
horror movie “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” and Disney’s “101 Dalmatians” prequel “Cruella” will duke it out for fourth and fifth place once final figures are tallied on Monday.
Kong” became the second COVID-era release to cross the $100 million mark at the domestic box office.
Among limited releases, Edgar Wright’s music documentary “The Sparks Brothers,” from Focus Features, premiered in 534 locations and brought in $265,000 — translating to a tepid $489 per location.
As the box office attempts to rebound from a tough 18-month period, Universal’s “Fast and Furious” sequel “F9” is expected to provide a much-needed shot in the arm to theater operators when it debuts on June 25.