‘Aquaman’ Tops North American Box Office in Opening Weekend

Warner Bros. superhero film “Aquaman” is the new North American box office king, collecting an estimated USD67.4 million during its first three days of release in North American theaters.

“Aquaman” has earned a massive USD72.1 million in North America, if the USD4.7 million in special opening and preview events is included.

It is also the No.1 film at the global box office for the third weekend in a row, bringing in USD91.3 million or a global total of USD482.8 million, according to studio figures collected by measurement firm Comscore.

Based on the DC Comics character of the same name, the film is the sixth installment in the DC Extended Universe. Directed by James Wan, it stars Jason Momoa for the title role.

The film reveals the origin story of half-human, half-Atlantean Arthur Curry. As the heir to the underwater kingdom of Atlantis, Curry must step forward to lead his people against his half-brother who seeks to unite the seven underwater kingdoms against the surface world.

“Aquaman,” costing a reported USD200 million to make, received positive reviews from moviegoers with an “A-” on CinemaScore and a 64-percent certified fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Disney’s musical fantasy film “Mary Poppins Returns” landed in second place for the pre-Christmas weekend with an estimated USD22.23 million after opening on Wednesday.

Based on the book series of the same name by P. L. Travers, the film is the follow-up to 1964’s classic film “Mary Poppins.” Directed by Rob Marshall, it stars Emily Blunt as the iconic nanny with unique magical skills. The film’s audience was 59 percent female.

Another newcomer, Paramount’s science fiction action film “Bumblebee,” opened in the third spot with an estimated USD21 million in its debut. The film is the sixth installment of the “Transformers” film series.

The previous “Transformers” franchise has brought in USD4.4 billion dollars in global box office revenue.

Directed by Travis Knight, “Bumblebee” stars Hailee Steinfeld and John Cena, among others.

Sony’s superhero film “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” moved to fourth place with an estimated USD16.7 million in its second weekend, pushing its North American total to USD64.8 million. Based on the Marvel Comics character Miles Morales, the film is directed by the trio of Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman.

Racking up plaudits in this Hollywood awards season, the movie has been named the Best Animated Film of 2018 by the New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC) and has been nominated for the Best Animated Feature film at the 76th Golden Globe Awards and the 24th Critics’ Choice Awards.

Warner Bros. crime film “The Mule,” directed by and starring Clint Eastwood, finished fifth in its second weekend with an estimated USD9.3 million for a North American cume of USD35.01 million. Based on The New York Times article “The Sinaloa Cartel’s 90-Year-Old Drug Mule,” the film is inspired by the true story of a World War II veteran, who became a drug dealer and courier for a Mexican cartel. (Xinhuanet)