NEW YORK (AP) — Whether it’s riding on terrific reviews and strong word-of-mouth, the game’s parts are fitting “Foots & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” The film grossed $38.5 million in US and Canadian theaters over the weekend, according to Sunday estimates, stealing the top box-office pole from “John Wick: Chapter IV.”
Paramount Pictures and eOne called the release of the movie more than many expected the film based on the notoriously high chart game for interest. “Game of the Night” directors Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley turned in an action-comedy twist, with a cast including Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page and Hugo Grant, bringing in ticket buyers less familiar with “D&D.” Audiences gave Honor Among Thieves, who were introduced with a raucous night before the opening of SXSW, A-CinemaScore. Scored 91% of fresh Rotten Tomatoes.
“We know how good our movie is,” said Chris Aronson, head of distribution for Paramount. “I know it’s been said before, but I think $38-39 million is just the beginning.”
“Foots & Dragons” was also a great volume of ankles. The film, co-produced and co-produced by Paramount with eOne, which is owned by Hasbro, cost $150 million. With a production price like that, “Feet & Dragons” will be expected to sell through April and similar overseas success to potentially kick off a new franchise.
“The challenge with this movie is convincing everyone that this is your movie,” Aronson said. “Jonathan and John are really talented guys and great supporters. We work harder with them. Hopefully, this will be the beginning of freedom.
John Wick: chap. 4, which launched last weekend with a franchise best of $73.5 million, slipped to second place in its second weekend with $28.2 million. While a significant dip, the blockbuster action film, starring Keanu Reeves, has already grossed $122.8 million domestically and, after adding another $35 million internationally over the weekend, $245 million worldwide. Lionsgate has no plans for further expansion into the franchise.
Along with John Wick: Chapter 4, The Symbol 3 and Cry 6, Dungeons & Dragons adds to a string of well-received March releases that exceeded box office expectations and scored well with audiences. That Universal Pictures “Super Mario Bros. Movie” series will continue next weekend.
“Although it may not be the highest grossing March, this is one of the best months of March for the industry in its history, in a three-year market challenged by the pandemic,” said Paul Dergarabedianus, media major media analyst for data. Firm Comscore “It’s not summer in March, but it sure felt like summer, with hit after hit.”
Those movies helped push the 2023 box office well ahead of the previous year’s pace, up 28.7%, according to David A. Gross, who runs Franchise Entertainment Research. Still, overall ticket sales are not yet up to pre-pandemic levels, pulling in the 2017-2019 average by 28.8%.
Games and toys also show depending on the resources of the big screen. “Dungeons & Dragons” will be followed this year by Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” and the new “Transformers” movie. “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” is expected to extend The rising trend towards video game adaptation was once derided.
“Feet & Dragons” had little competition from new releases. The Christian drama “One Son” debuted with $5.3 million. AV Rockwell’s Sundance Film Festival grand jury prize winner “One thousand and one”; about a mother (Teyana Taylor) who worries about her son’s foster care, opened to $1.8 million at 926 theaters for Focus Features.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday and Sunday in US and Canadian theaters according to Comscore. The final domestic figure will be released on Monday.
1. “Foots & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” $38.5 million.
2. “John Wick, Chapter 4,” $28.2 million.
3. “Scream VI,” $5.3 million. (nectar)
3. “Only Son” $5.3 million. (nectar)
5. “Symbol III,” $5 million.
6. Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” $4.7 million.
7. One thousand and one, $1.8 million.
8. “65,” $1.6 million.
9. “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantum of Solace,” $1.2 million.
10. “Jesus Revolution,” $1 million.
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