Zendaya’s latest film “Challengers” made a splash at the box office this past weekend, bringing in $15 million from 3,477 theaters. The romantic tennis drama, which marks Zendaya’s first leading role in a feature film, has been praised by critics for its gripping storyline and powerful performances.
What set “Challengers” apart from other recent releases was its wide nationwide release by MGM Amazon Studios, rather than a platform release. This decision paid off, as the film was able to reach a broader audience, including Zendaya’s dedicated fan base who may not be subscribers to Amazon’s Prime streaming service.
The film has also been a success overseas, grossing $9 million from 52 markets for a global total of $25 million. While critics have given the film glowing reviews, audience members have rated it slightly lower with a B+ CinemaScore.
In addition to “Challengers”, another standout at the box office was Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company’s “Unsung Hero”, which earned an impressive $7.8 million and received an A+ CinemaScore.
Meanwhile, Warner Bros. and Legendary’s “Godzilla vs. Kong” and the sequel to “Dune” have both crossed major milestones at the global box office, surpassing $500 million and $700 million in earnings, respectively.
DreamWorks Animation’s “Kung Fu Panda 4” has also had a successful run, crossing the $500 million mark globally and solidifying its place as the second biggest DreamWorks Animation franchise.
Fans of classic films were also treated to a rerelease of Ridley Scott’s 1979 classic “Alien”, which drew positive exit scores from viewers.
Looking ahead, moviegoers can anticipate the release of Ryan Gosling’s new film “The Fall Guy”, which is set to kick off the summer box office next weekend. With a mix of high-profile releases and beloved classics, the box office is buzzing with excitement and anticipation.
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