While Universal Pictures prepares for a big night at the Oscars with “Oppenheimer,” the studio is also releasing No. 1 with “Kung Fu Panda 4,” which raked in $58.3 million in domestic theaters over the weekend, according to estimates Sunday. He also celebrated his debut.
Kung Fu Panda 4, the first film in the DreamWorks Animation series since the third installment in 2016, is off to a better start than all but the original in 2008. “Kung Fu Panda,” which follows the mystical adventures of Po, a panda warrior played by Jack Black, opened with $60.2 million.
Backing 'Kung Fu Panda 4': This is the first big family film since 'The Migration' and 'Wonka', which were released in theaters in December. “Kung Fu Panda 4” added his $22 million internationally.
The news was equally good news for last week's top movie, Dune Part 2. His sci-fi blockbuster sequel, directed by Denis Villeneuve, continued its strong second week, dropping just 44%. The film grossed $46 million in its second week, bringing Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures' total domestic box office gross to $157 million.
With strong reviews, great word-of-mouth, and plenty of sandbugs, Dune: Part 2 seems well primed for a long theatrical run. Most of Sunday's Oscar nominees have already moved to home viewing platforms, but “Dune” could be selected for next year's Academy Awards.
Opening in third place was Lionsgate and Blumhouse's horror film “Imaginary,” which depicts a creepy teddy bear. It debuted for $10 million.
Next up was Cabrini, a portrait of 19th century Catholic missionary St. Francis Xavier Cabrini (played by Christiana Delanna). The film was released by Christian-based company Angel Studios, the studio behind the 2023 surprise hit “The Sound of Freedom,” and raised $7.5 million.
A24 also released the acclaimed neo-noir Love Lies Bleeding, starring Kristen Stewart, on five screens in New York and Los Angeles. It grossed $167,463 at the box office for a per-screen average of $33,493.
Estimated ticket sales from Friday through Sunday in U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to comScore. Final national figures will be released on Monday.
1. “Kung Fu Panda 4,” $58.3 million.
2. “Dune: Part 2,” $46 million.
3. “Imaginary,” $10 million.
4. “Cabrini,” $7.6 million.
5. “Bob Marley: One Love,” $4.1 million.
6. “Ordinary Angels,” $2 million.
7. “Madame Web,” $1.1 million.
8. “Migration,” $1.1 million.
9. “Yolo”, $840,000
10. MET Opera: “La Forza del Destino,” $768,000.