OPENINGS: RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON (Disney, also on Disney+) launched with $8.6M in theatres, and while it also earned (undisclosed) income from super-premium VOD through Disney+, that number was notably lower than last week’s $14.1M for Tom & Jerry, which premiered simultaneously on HBO Max. Raya was supposed to benefit from the reopening of theatres in NY, but it wasn’t released by one of the major chains due to Disney insistence on pre-pandemic distribution terms, and perhaps those canceled each other out. In any case, A-level Disney animation doesn’t come cheap, and it’s hard to see a profitable path for Raya unless it’s cleaning up on VOD. The news was also dim overseas, where Raya has $17.6M in 32 markets, including a tepid $8.4M in China.
CHAOS WALKING (Lionsgate) was a remarkably expensive (reportedly $100M) sci-fi vehicle for Tom Holland and Daisy Ridley that fell flat even by pandemic standards with $3.8M. Early international returns didn’t offer much hope for recoupment with a $2.6M start.
BOOGIE (Focus/Universal) premiered at a low $1.2M, and will presumably follow the Universal distribution model and reach VOD before the end of March. It hasn’t yet opened overseas.
HOLDOVERS: Faced with direct competition from Raya, TOM & JERRY (Warners, also on HBO Max) crashed by 53% to $6.6M in its 2nd weekend, and should reach $40-45M in the US. It also has $34.3M overseas after a $5M weekend in 34 territories.
THE CROODS: A NEW AGE (DreamWorks/Universal) now faces a crowded family market, and it dropped 38% to $800K in its 15th weekend, making it a toss-up to pass Tenet‘s $57.9M US pandemic record. Croods 2 is at $104M overseas after a $250K weekend in 27 markets.
THE LITTLE THINGS (Warners) fell 41% to $550K in its 6th weekend and should top $15M in the US. It has $11.5M overseas after a $700K weekend in 29 territories.
WW84 (Warners) dipped 28% to $500K in its 11th weekend, on its way to about $46M in the US. It’s at $118.1M internationally after a $200K weekend in 39 regions.
THE MARKSMAN (Open Road) lost 29% to $500K in Weekend 8, on track for $15M in the US. It has $4M overseas.
NEXT WEEKEND: There are no wide openings scheduled.
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