Zendaya’s tennis drama “Challengers” scored the highest spot within the home field workplace this weekend, bringing in $15 million, as film theaters are nonetheless struggling to match final yr’s ticket gross sales.
“Challengers” outgrossed its closest competitor, faith-based drama “Unsung Hero,” which generated $7.75 million, based on Comscore estimates. “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” in its fifth weekend, introduced in $7.2 million.
“This can be a robust opening for a romance and sports activities drama,” wrote David Gross in film trade e-newsletter FranchiseRe about “Challengers.” “Dramas should not massive films, however they are often elevated by an A-list solid, and Zendaya is doing that.”
Nonetheless, the general marketplace for films in theaters stays weak. Gross mentioned that April 2024 is down round 48% in comparison with pre-pandemic Aprils.
“There continues to be room for good, focused productions that join with their audiences, however the complete lineup stays skinny,” Gross wrote. “Thus far in 2024, we’ve had 13 massive collection movies. Earlier than the pandemic, we averaged greater than 18 throughout the identical interval.”
Final summer season’s Hollywood strikes modified the lineup for films coming to theaters, pushing again titles together with “Avengers: Secret Wars,” and “Kraven the Hunter” from their scheduled launch dates. Field workplace gross sales are down 21% in comparison with the identical interval a yr in the past, based on Comscore.
“We actually have a variety of floor to make up with the field workplace,” mentioned Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst with Comscore.
“This was a land of alternative for these movies which may have been overshadowed if there had been a serious breakout blockbuster within the month of April,” Dergarabedian mentioned.
A yr in the past, “The Tremendous Mario Bros. Film” held the highest spot within the home weekend field workplace, bringing in $40.8 million, throughout its fourth week in theaters, Dergarabedian mentioned.
Greater titles are on their technique to theaters quickly. Motion comedy movie “The Fall Man,” starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, shall be launched Friday.
