While “Eternals,” a Disney/Marvel movie, suffered a dramatic drop in its second weekend of theaters, it is still in first place ahead newcomers like Clifford the Big Red Dog.
According to studio estimates, “Eternals” earned $27.5 million more over the weekend. This brings its domestic total to $118.8 millions. Directed by Oscar-winner Chloe Zhao, the film starred Angelina Jolie and Kumail Nanjiani. Its debut fell 61%. Although this is not unusual for big superhero tentpoles, it was much higher than the 52% drop in “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”, the last Disney and Marvel film.
Both were only shown in theaters. The main difference between the two was that “Shang-Chi”, despite receiving better ratings from critics and audiences, received more attention. This weekend, “Shang-Chi”, also available on Disney+, was made streamable. To date, “Eternals”, has earned $281.4 million worldwide.
“Clifford the Big Red Dog” took second place. It was released in theaters throughout the week, and was also available for streaming at home for Paramount+ subscribers. It earned $16.4 million in theaters across the weekend, and $22 million over its five-day run.
Although it received a disappointing 48% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, critics weren’t impressed and the film earned a promising A CinemaScore. This was despite the uncertain moviegoing environment for families.
Paul Dergarabedian is Comscore’s senior media analyst. He said that there has been much talk about family audiences and whether they would like to see movies. “I think this is an excellent debut. It is clear that there is a demand to see family films on both the big and small screens.
Blockbusters completed the top five, with “Dune”, which earned $5.5 million, and “No Time to Die”, which earned $4.6 million. “Venom: Please Allow Carnage” was fifth with $4 million. This weekend, “Venom 2”, the pandemic-era movie, became the second to surpass the $200 million mark at domestic box office. “Shang-Chi” was the other.
As more award hopefuls enter the specialty box office, many are also making it to the top 10. This weekend Kenneth Branagh’s semi-autobiographical film “Belfast” made $1.8 million from 580 screens in its debut. The second weekend saw “Spencer,” starring Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana. It earned $1.5 million on 1,265 screens. Even in its fourth weekend, “Spencer” with Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana, earned $1.5 million from 1,265 screens. Wes Anderson’s film, “The French Dispatch”, continues to be a success, bringing its total to $11.6million.
The Julia Child documentary “Julia”, which was not in the top 10, opened on five screens and reached $20,796.
Dergarabedian stated that although these films are not in as many theaters as they used to, there is still a demand for independent films. This is one category that everyone expected would be most affected by the pandemic. “We are seeing signs of a more normalized market.”
Next weekend, “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” will face off against “King Richard”, a hopeful for the Will Smith Awards.
According to Comscore, Friday through Sunday ticket sales were estimated at U.S. theaters and Canadian theatres. Monday will see the release of final domestic figures.
1. “Eternals,” $27.5 million.
2. “Clifford the Big Red Dog,” $16.4 Million
3. “Dune,” $5.5 million.
4. $4.6 Million, “No Time to Die.”
5. “Venom: Let There be Carnage,” $4 Million
6. “Ron’s Gone Wrong,” $2.2 Million
7. “The French Dispatch”, $1.8 Million
8. “Belfast,” $1.8 million.
9. “Spencer,” $1.5 million.
10. “Antlers,” $1.2 million.
