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LOS ANGELES — As Universal Pictures prepared for a big night at the Academy Awards with “Oppenheimer,” the studio also celebrated the No. 1 debut of “Kung Fu Panda 4,” which collected $58.3 million in domestic theaters over the weekend, according to estimates Sunday.“Kung Fu Panda 4,” the first film in the DreamWorks Animation franchise since the third installment in 2016, got off to a better start than all but the 2008 original.

Alex Garland’s provocative “Civil War” didn’t only ignite the discourse.The film also inspired audiences to go to the cinemas this weekend where it surpassed expectations and earned $25.7 million in ticket sales in North America, according to studio estimates Sunday.It’s the biggest R-rated opening of the year to date and a record for A24, the studio behind films like “Everything Everywhere All At Once” and “The Iron Claw.”“Civil War” also unseated “Godzilla x Kong” from its perch atop the box office. The titan movie from Warner Bros.

according to Box Office Mojo.The impressive premiere puts it on track for a debut of around $26 million, Variety reported.The $50 million film, from director Alex Garland, follows a team of military-embedded journalists racing against time to reach Washington, D.C. before rebel factions descend upon the White House.Starring Kirsten Dunst, Cailee Spaeny, Nick Offerman and Jesse Plemons, the thriller has been dubbed a “a terrifying premonition of American collapse,” though critics say its political message was “muddled.”The Post’s Johnny Oleksinski went as far as to call it “a torturous, overrated movie without a point,” bashing its script as lousy and the acting as monotonous.Behind “Civil War” was “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” which topped the charts when it premiered two weeks ago.

“Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” easily swatted away a pair of challengers to hold on to the top spot at the box office for the second week in a row, according to studio estimates Sunday.After its above-expectations $80 million launch last weekend, the MonsterVerse mashup brought in $31.7 million over its second weekend, a 60% drop from its debut.The Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures release, directed by Adam Wingard, has thus far outperformed any of the studio’s recent monster films except for 2014’s “Godzilla.”But with $361.1 million worldwide in two weeks, “Godzilla x Kong” could ultimately leapfrog the $529 million global haul of 2014’s “Godzilla.”The latest installment, in which Godzilla and Kong team up, cost about $135 million to produce.“Godzilla x Kong” extended its box-office reign as another primate-themed movie arrived in theaters.

according to IMDB’s Box Office Mojo.The flick, a sequel to 2021’s “Godzilla vs. Kong,” is expected to take in $30 million this weekend, Deadline reported.In second place was the action thriller “Money Man,” with a $4.25 million-dollar take.The film, which is the directorial debut of actor Dev Patel, was released on Friday, and is expected to earn $10.5 million this weekend, according to the Hollywood Reporter.Vulture called the flick, where Patel also plays the leading role, “a solid action thriller.”“The First Omen” which debuted on April 5, landed in third, with $3.24 million in sales.The prequel to 1976’s “The Omen” and the sixth film in The Omen franchise “has flair but struggles with the weight and familiarity of what came before,” said The Guardian.In fourth place was “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” which made $2.43 million.

Godzilla-King Kong combo stomped on expectations as “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” roared to an $80 million opening on 3,861 North American screens, according to Sunday studio estimates.The monster mash-up from Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures starring Rebecca Hall and Brian Tyree Henry brought the second-highest opening in what has been a robust year, falling just short of the the $81.5 million debut of “Dune: Part 2.”Projections had put the the opening weekend of “Godzilla x Kong: Frozen Empire” at closer to $50 million.Last week’s No.

“Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” collected $45.2 million in ticket sales over the weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday, handing Sony Pictures the studio’s first No. 1 film since last summer.The opening weekend for “Frozen Empire,” in 4,345 theaters, was nearly exactly the same as the $44 million launch for “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” in 2021.“Afterlife” rebooted the franchise with a sequel built around the descendants (Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace) of Harold Ramis’ Egon Spengler, along with Paul Rudd’s seismologist Gary Grooberson.Neither film has been a hit with critics, but audiences have been more receptive.

“Kung Fu Panda 4 ” stayed at the top of the North American box office in its second weekend in theaters. The Universal and DreamWorks Animation movie earned $30 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.The franchise featuring the voice of Jack Black is responsible for over $1.9 billion at the box office since it launched in 2008 and spawned several animated series, shorts, video games and a holiday special.

according to IMDB’s Box Office Mojo.. Domestically, the film’s made more than $86.5 million in its first two weeks in theaters.The Post said that Jack Black-helmed feature, “while nice enough, suggests that the smartest move would be to let the fuzzy guy retire to a calming bamboo forest rather than embark on yet another predictable adventure.”“Dune: Part Two” — director Denis Villeneuve’s epic sci-fi desert flick — managed to hold onto the #2 spot during its third week of release, taking in $8.15 million.“Arthur the King” on Friday sold more than $3 million in tickets, nabbing the No.

according to IMBD’s Box Office Mojo.The latest Jack Black-led installment of the franchise pushed another sequel, “Dune 2,” down to second place, though it still took in $12.3 million.Kung Fu fell short of hitting Dune’s opening day slot as the Timothée Chalamet-led film raked in $32 million last Friday — a movie The Post called a “sci-fi triumph that’s better than the first.” Coming in third was “Cabrini,” which follows an Italian immigrant in New York embarking on a journey to persuade the mayor to provide housing and healthcare to orphaned children. It brought in $3 million Friday, its opening day.

Last week saw the global launch of Denis Villeneuve’s second “Dune” film, wrapping up the conclusion of the first novel adaptation while also leaving everything on a cliffhanger for a third movie that the filmmaker is co-writing with franchise screenwriter Jon Spaihts. Strong critical responses and audience word of mouth have paid off big time for the film as it has made some history over the weekend, becoming the biggest opening for the director and overperforming compared to the first part that was released back in September 2021.

Dune: Part Two ” is delivering on the promise. Armed with sandworms, big screen spectacle and the star power of Timothée Chalamet, Denis Villeneuve ’s science fiction epic stormed the North American box office this weekend earning $81.5 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.Internationally, it earned $97 million, bringing its global debut to $178.5 million.“Denis made a really extraordinary and special film and its been really exciting to see people respond,” said Mary Parent, a producer on both “Dune” films and chairman of worldwide production at Legendary. “It was made for the big screen and it feels like it’s being received as a cinematic event.”It’s the first major hit of 2024, and one that was sorely needed by exhibitors.

The box office may still be doing its best to return to its pre-pandemic heights, but there continue to be encouraging signs all around. The latest is Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things” crossing $100 million at the global box office.

“Bob Marley: One Love” continues to exceed expectations by claiming the No. 1 spot at the box office, overcoming two debut films and Sony’s “Madame Web” that’s still producing subpar numbers.The Paramount film starring Kingsley Ben-Adir pulled in $13.5 million during its second week of release.The project, which was produced for about $70 million, already eclipsed that mark, grossing nearly $72 million domestically in North America.It’s an impressive achievement for the Reinaldo Marcus Green-directed Marley’s musical biopic that’s focused on the Rastafarian legend’s story during the making of his 1977 album “Exodus” while leading up to his impactful concert in his native Jamaica.“Some of his greatest hits came out nearly 50 years ago, but his music still resonates through this film,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for data firm Comscore.“One Love” drew nearly $2 million more than “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba – To the Hashira Training” which placed No.

according to IMDB’s Box Office Mojo.The action flick, based on a manga series, opened in theaters on Feb. 2.It managed to beat out “Bob Marley: One Love,” which moved down to second place this week with sales of $3.7 million.The biopic, based on the life of the famous Reggae singer-songwriter, has taken in over $100 million globally since its Valentine’s Day release.“Ordinary Angels,” starring Hilary Swank, landed in third with a $2.3 million-dollar take.The film, which Variety said “tugs at the heartstrings,” is based on a true story of a Kentucky hairdresser who helped a widower whose daughter needed a liver transplant during a blizzard.The suspense thriller “Madame Web,” which was in second place last week, fell to fourth, taking in $1.575 million.

according to IMDB’s Box Office Mojo.The biographical musical film, based on the life of the pioneer Reggae singer-songwriter, which stars Kingsley Ben-Adir, was released on Valentine’s Day. The film opened to a poor Rotten Tomatoes rating and some negative reviews, with The Guardian saying “the reggae superstar deserves a better film than this,” and RogertEbert.com calling it “a flattened biopic devoid of a perspective or originality.”In second place was the suspense thriller “Madame Web,” with $4.3 million in sales.

“Lisa Frankenstein” didn’t come to life at the North American box office in its first weekend in theaters.The horror comedy written by Diablo Cody and starring Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse earned $3.8 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.It debuted in second place on a very slow Super Bowl weekend, behind the spy thriller “Argylle.”Matthew Vaugn’s “Argylle” got first place with only $6.5 million, which brings its running domestic total to $28.8 million in two weekends. The $200 million production is Apple’s first major theatrical flop.Universal Pictures oversaw the North American release for the streamer, where it is playing in 3,605 locations.

according to IMDB’s Box Office Mojo.So far, the flick, which cost $200 million to make, hasn’t been performing as expected, and this weekend is expected to earn just $6.5 million, which is a 60 percent drop from last weekend, according to Collider. Teenage horror-comedy “Lisa Frankenstein” landed in second, with $1.74 million in sales.

led by “ The Beekeeper ” in its third week of release.Amazon MGM Studios’ Jason Statham actioner earned $7.4 million to take the No. 1 spot, according to studio estimates Sunday.

according to IMDB’s Box OfficeLast Saturday, the film’s star, Reneé Rapp, performed on “Saturday Night Live” as its musical guest, and was introduced by Rachel McAdams, who starred in the original “Mean Girls,” released in 2004.“The Beekeeper,” remained in second place, with earnings of just over $1.8 million.Due to the success of the action thriller, its director, David Ayer, and star, Jason Statham, have decided to collaborate once again on for “Levon’s Trade,” based on comic author Chuck Dixon’s first novel, according to Deadline.The rom-com “Anyone But You” which debuted in December, is still melting hearts, and remained in third this week, raking in $1.5 million. This weekend, the film is slated to surpass the $70 million mark in domestic earnings.

“Mean Girls” repeated atop the box office with $11.7 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday, while a handful of awards contenders sought to make an impact ahead of Oscar nominations Tuesday.With a dearth of new releases in cinemas, Paramount Pictures’ Tina Fey-scripted musical “Mean Girls” pushed its two-week total past $50 million, along with $16.2 million internationally. So far, it’s outpacing the tally for the 2004 original “Mean Girls.”Only one new film debuted in wide release: “I.S.S.,” a modestly budgeted sci-fi thriller starring Ariana DeBose.

according to IMDB’s Box Office Mojo.The reboot, which The Observer called “vapid, tasteless and monumentally stupid,” is based on the Broadway musical of the same name, which was inspired by the 2004 teen comedy starring Lindsay Lohan. “The Beekeeper,” which was in first place last Friday, flew down to second, with $2.445 million in sales.This weekend, the Jason Statham action thriller is projected to enjoy a three-day estimate of $8.4 million in earnings, according to Variety.The rom-com “Anyone But You,” which debuted in December, moved down a notch to third, with $1.74 million in sales.

the 2004 Tina Fey movie, earned $28 million in its first three days in theaters according to studio estimates Sunday. Not accounting for inflation, that’s more than the $24.4 million the first movie made in its opening weekend.The “Mean Girls” competition over the Martin Luther King Jr.

according to IMDB’s Box Office Mojo.The Washington Post said the action thriller, starring Jason Statham, has “more zzzzz than bzzzz.”The rom-com “Anyone But You,” which was in third place last week, moved up a notch to second, with $2.1 million in sales.The film stars Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell, who The Hollywood Reporter said “can’t fake the fizz” in the flick, which is based on William Shakespeare’s play “Much Ado About Nothing.”Things soured for “Wonka,” which dropped to third, with earnings of $1.8 million. Its star, Timothée Chalamet, was nominated at Jan.

Timothée Chalamet and “Wonka” topped the box office charts for the third time in its four weekends in theaters.Warner Bros.’ family-oriented musical added $14.4 million in ticket sales according to studio estimates Sunday, bringing its total domestic grosses to $164.7 million.“’Wonka’ is following in the tradition of a film like ‘The Greatest Showman,’” said Paul Dergarabedian, the senior media analyst for Comscore. That Hugh Jackman musical opened under $9 million in Dec.

according to IMDB’s Box Office Mojo.Deadline said the film, which stars Wyatt Russell and Kerry Condon and centers around a family’s discovery that their pool is haunted, “falls off the deep end.”“Wonka” moved down a notch to second place, where it enjoyed sales of $4.3 million. This week, the Timothee Chalamet-led musical fantasy set a milestone, reaching $400 million in worldwide sales, Screenrant reported.

according to IMDB’s Box Office Mojo.“Wonka” also surpassed the $100 million earning mark domestically this week, as per Variety. Last week, the Timothee Chalamet-led musical fantasy had been dethroned by “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” which is now in second place with $6.75 million in earnings.

led a crowd of new releases at the box office on the weekend before Christmas Monday. The DC and Warner Bros.

according to IMDB’s Box Office Mojo.The Jason Momoa-led movie is expected to earn over $40 million plus on the four-day Christmas weekend, according to Deadline. However, if those numbers are correct, it will have a worse opening weekend than Marvel’s biggest bomb, “The Marvels,” which was released in November.The Post said the DC Studios film “isn’t well done, but it isn’t miserable either.”“Wonka,” which held the No.

according to IMDB’s Box Office Mojo.The musical fantasy, which tells the story of the fictional proprietor in the 1964 Roald Dahl novel “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” stars Timothée Chalamet in the titular role. The Post said the actor exudes “impish charm and oddball quirks” and the film “delivers not so much a world of pure imagination as a land of constant cuteness.”The flick reportedly cost $125 million to make, so will have to earn double its budget, $250 million, to be deemed a box office success, according to Screen Rant.