‘Aladdin’ is Granted More Success for Live-Action Disney Remakes
Disney’s Aladdin rose over the competition this Memorial Day weekend. The live-action remake, starring Will Smith, made $90.4 million over the three-day weekend. Including the holiday, Aladdin grossed an estimated $112.7 million since Friday.
Memorial Day’s been rough for Disney over the past decade. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Tomorrowland and Alice Through the Looking Glass were all unsuccessful. Even Solo: A Star Wars Story and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales fell below franchise expectations. Guy Ritchie’s Aladdin have broken the holiday curse. Aladdin is Memorial Day’s biggest opener since Fast and Furious 6 back in 2013. In fact, Aladdin ranks as the fifth-best opener for the holiday. It’s not quite The Jungle Book ($103.3 million) or Beauty and the Beast ($174.8 million) numbers. At least it’s not underperforming like Dumbo did a few months ago. While critics may have been mixed, CinemaScore audiences were enthusiastic. The film was awarded an “A” on the site. Aladdin will have no issues passing $200 million domestically. No film outside of Marvel has done so in 2019.
In its second weekend, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum held rather well against Aladdin and his fellow holiday newcomers. Down 56.7%, the Keanu Reeves sequel grossed $24.6 over the three-day weekend. That line up with fellow summer hits, Avengers: Endgame (-58.7%) and Pokémon Detective Pikachu (-53.8%). Memorial Day managed another $6.4 million, for an 11-day total of $107.6 million. That’s a first for the franchise. The first film grossed $43 million in 2014, while the 2017 sequel raised its haul to $92 million. If John Wick: Chapter 3 plays like Mad Max: Fury Road, the sequel could flirt with about $150 million. Even if it falls a few million short, Lionsgate knows they have a lucrative series on their hands. John Wick: Chapter 4 was just announced for May 21, 2021.
With Avatar in the rear-view mirror, Avengers: Endgame is focused on a few final milestones. The Marvel Studios blockbuster enjoyed its first sub-50% drop since release. A respectable 42.5% drop added $17.3 million over the regular frame. Including Memorial Day, Avengers: Endgame grossed $22.3 million since Friday. Avengers: Endgame is only the second film to pass $800 million domestically. The only other being Star Wars: The Force Awakens. When topping The Force Awakens is impossible, Avengers: Endgame may still crack the $850 milestone. An Avengers: Infinity War finish should get it there. Worldwide, Avengers: Endgame is about $106 million from dethroning Avatar. Hopefully, the international front can pull in another $70 million.
Warner Bros.’ Pokémon Detective Pikachu dropped down to fourth place. Down 46.7%, Detective Pikachu brought in another $13.4 million in its third weekend. Memorial Day saw about $4 million for the live-action Pokémon flick. A $17.3 million extended weekend brings its total up to $120.1 million. Topping the unadjusted runs of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider ($131.2 million) and The Last Airbender ($131.8 million) is practically guaranteed. That should make it one of the most successful video game adaptations ever. That also applies to anime to live-action conversions. Detective Pikachu should end up with a healthy $140 million run.
Sony’s Brightburn rounded out the Memorial Day weekend, edging out indie newcomer Booksmart. The James Gunn-produced horror flick managed $7.9 million over the three-day frame. Another $1.6 million was added on Monday. That brings its four-day total to $9.5 million. Horror hasn’t been a big seller over the holiday weekend. The Poltergeist remake debuted with $26.5 million back in 2015. Poltergeist II opened with $12.4 million back in 1986. Brightburn is about on par with 2012’s Chernobyl Diaries ($9.4 million). Though an equally weak run ahead could happen. Rotten Tomatoes critics were split on Gunn’s horror, currently scored at a 56%. CinemaScore audiences offered an underwhelming “C+.”
Note: These #’s are based on Monday’s projections and can change with Tuesday’s actual #’s
#1 – Aladdin (NR)
$90.4 million / $112.7 million / $112.7 million total
#2 – John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (1)
$24.6 million / $31.0 million / $107.6 million total
#3 – Avengers: Endgame (2)
$17.2 million / $22.3 million / $803.6 million total
#4 – Pokemon Detective Pikachu (3)
$13.4 million / $17.3 million / $120.1 million total
#5 – Brightburn (NR)
$7.9 million / $9.5 million / $9.5 million total
Opening Next Week: Rocketman, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Ma
Source: Box Office Mojo
