In a weekend where Universal/DreamWorks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda 4 is expected to hold strong with a second-weekend take of around $30M (-48%), the biggest competitor entering the market is Lionsgate’s Mark Wahlberg canine sports movie, Arthur the King.
Arthur the King, directed by Simon Cellan Jones, has generated buzz with an estimated opening of $8M-$10M at 3,003 locations. The film made $825K in previews, surpassing the $550K previews of Wahlberg’s 2018 movie, Instant Family. Despite mixed critical reviews at 63% on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences have shown overwhelming support with a 93% approval rating. The movie is based on a true story and follows the journey of Michael Light (Wahlberg) and a street dog named Arthur as they compete in a challenging adventure race.
Another standout at the box office is A24’s Sundance Film Festival premiere, Love Lies Bleeding, which is expanding to 1,300 theaters with a target of $2M. The lesbian crime noir has received critical acclaim with a 92% certified fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film, directed by Rose Glass and starring Kristen Stewart and Katy M. O’Brian, has shown promise after earning $167K last weekend with a strong per-theater average.
Focus Features is also making waves with Kobi Libii’s feature directorial debut, The American Society of Magical Negroes, opening at 1,146 theaters. Despite the film premiering at Sundance, critics have been harsh, giving it a meager 29% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The satirical comedy follows a young man recruited into a secret society of magical Black individuals who aim to make white people more comfortable. The movie is projected to open in the low single-digit millions.
In the midst of new releases, blockbusters like Legendary Entertainment/Warner Bros.’ Dune: Part Two and Kung Fu Panda 4 continue to dominate the box office. Dune: Part Two earned $4.4M on Thursday and is expected to bring in around $27M in its third weekend, with a total of $65.1M. Kung Fu Panda 4 closely followed with $4.390M on Thursday, showcasing consistent performance in its first week with a total haul of $77.7M.
Lionsgate/Blumhouse’s Imaginary trails behind with a first-week gross of $13.5M, while Angel Studios’ Cabrini took in $592K on Thursday, rounding out its first week with $10.1M.
The diverse lineup at the box office caters to various audiences, from thrilling adventure races to thought-provoking satire, providing moviegoers with an array of choices to enjoy on the big screen. As the weekend unfolds, it will be interesting to see how these films fare and whether any new releases can shake up the box office standings.