This weekend, DreamWorks and Universal’s Kung Fu Panda 4, starring Jack Black, retained its lead, narrowly surpassing Dune: Part Two. The film earned an estimated $30 million across 4,067 North American theaters, bringing its domestic total to $107.74 million. Despite a 48% drop from its debut week, it maintained a strong per-screen average of $7,376.
The fourth installment’s second-weekend performance aligns with its predecessors. Kung Fu Panda (2008) grossed $33.6 million (-44% drop), Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011) earned $23.9 million (-50% drop), and Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016) grossed $21.2 million (-49% drop).
Mark Wahlberg’s Arthur the King faced challenges attracting the family audience due to the enduring popularity of the Dragon Warrior. Next weekend, Po the panda will face stiffer competition from Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, expected to debut with $35M-$49M.
Internationally, Kung Fu Panda 4 garnered $39.6 million in 56 territories, with eight boasting the biggest franchise opening ever, including Mexico. With $8.8 million in previews from China (not included in the total), the film has grossed $69.6 million internationally, resulting in a worldwide total of $176.4 million.
The Dragon Warrior rises over Paul Atreides
Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi epic secured the number 2 spot in its third week, amassing an estimated $29.1 million domestically across 3,847 screens. With a hefty $51.2 million internationally, the film’s domestic total reached $205.8 million, and its global haul hit $494.7 million. The sequel surpassed $200 million in North America, crossed the $400 million mark worldwide, and is expected to reach $500 million this week, surpassing its predecessor’s $431.2 million. Dune’s -37% drop in its third weekend domestically demonstrates robust staying power, with a per-screen average higher than Kung Fu Panda 4.
Overseas, Dune: Part Two garnered an estimated $51.2 million across 35,593 screens in 73 international markets, retaining its position as the #1 movie globally. It debuted in Japan, earning ¥250m ($1.7 million) on 781 screens, including previews. China remains the top market with $9.8 million for the weekend and a total of $36.1 million. The film also surpassed $100 million on IMAX alone, accumulating $104 million in global IMAX earnings.
Arthur the four-pawed King
Lionsgate’s family-oriented sports racing film, starring Mark Wahlberg and a charming Australian shepherd, earned the top 3rd spot in its debut, attracting a similar-sized audience to The Chosen and Ordinary Angels, with an estimated $7.5 million across 3,003 screens domestically.
Despite a middling 63% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.0/10 on IMDB, Arthur the King boasted an impressive 98% audience score. With a $19 million budget, the film shouldn’t have trouble recovering its costs once all revenue streams are fully tapped.
Noteworthy Highlights
Kristen Stewart’s Love Lies Bleeding expanded to 1,362 screens, earning $2.5 million for the weekend and securing the #6 spot. Its per-screen average dropped from $30K last week to $1,825 for this frame, but it surpassed the recent female-centric crime movie Drive Away Dolls.
Bleeker Street’s domestic release of One Life, the Anthony Hopkins biopic about Sir Nicholas Winton, debuted at #8 with $1.7 million across 983 screens. The film has already grossed nearly $30 million worldwide, performing well in markets such as the United Kingdom and Australia.
Justin Smith’s satirical The American Society of Magical Negroes secured the #9 spot with an estimated $1.25 million weekend gross across 1,147 North American theaters.
