WASHINGTON, Nov 21 — Disney and Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever dominated the North American box office for a second straight weekend, taking in an estimated US$67.3 million (RM306.5 million), industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.
That take for the sequel to the hugely popular Black Panther — with the fictional African kingdom of Wakanda again fighting for its survival — was a bit below industry expectations despite a current global total of US$546 million, trade publications said.
But it was still more than seven times its closest competitor in North American theatres, Searchlight’s new horror-comedy film The Menu, which took in US$9 million for the Friday-through-Sunday period.
The Menu stars Ralph Fiennes as a celebrity chef who prepares an elaborate — and increasingly creepy — meal for a group of wealthy, entitled people (including Anya Taylor-Joy of The Queen’s Gambit) who have no idea what, or who, is about to be served.
In third place was a surprise success, The Chosen Season 3: Episodes 1 & 2, a crowd-funded Christian movie that pulled in US$8.2 million. “By Christian drama film standards, it’s a very good opening,” said David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research.
In its fifth week out, Warner Bros.’ superhero film Black Adam placed fourth, at US$4.5 million. Dwayne Johnson stars in the Shazam! spinoff.
In fifth place was Universal rom-com Ticket to Paradise, at US$3.2 million. Julia Roberts and George Clooney star.
Rounding out the top 10 were:
She Said (US$2.3 million)
Lyle, Lyle Crocodile (US$1.9 million)
Smile (US$1.2 million)
Drishyam 2 (US$1.1 million)
Prey for the Devil (US$935,000)
— AFP
