UK/US Box Office May 10th-12th week 19: Ryan Reynolds defeats The Avengers for a second time

 

 

1. Pokemon: Detective Pikachu – £4,951,838 –  NE

85.5% from 2D; 14.5% from 3D; taking £1.23m from Friday

Had the 254^th biggest opening in the UK between Oblivion and Fast & Furious (close to Ant-Man and The Wasp, Batman and Robin, 22 Jump Street and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and the 346^th biggest inflation inflated between Trainspotting 2 and Independence Day: Resurgence (close to Wreck-It Ralph, Bumblebee, Kick-Ass and Pokemon: The First Movie)

Hard to make direct comparisons with other computer game to film adaptions as they didn’t have Ryan Reynolds which was a major selling point for the film after the success of the two Deadpool films.

Opened 261.1% more than Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (£1,371,066); 131.5% more than 2016’s Angry Birds (£2,138,507); 60.6% more than Tomb Raider (£3,081,916); 36.6% more than Warcraft. World of Warcraft (£3,623,725)

43^rd biggest Warner Bros film in the UK between Ocean’s Eleven and Batman and Robin (close to Ready Player One, Aquaman, Batman Begins and Rampage) 58^th biggest inflation inflated Warner Bros film between Ready Player One and Interview with the Vampire (close to The Matrix, Happy Feet, Wild Wild West and Rampage).

Warner Bros have been getting many £4m+-£5m+ openings over the last year The Lego Movie: The Second Part, Shazam!, The Nun, A Star Is Born, Rampage, Ocean’s Eight, Ready Player One and Aquaman;

With the exception of The Nun and A Star Is Born they were slightly disappointing opening for the size of film they were, but these are the kinds of film that have been squeezed at the box office over recent years by comic-book movies and higher profile properties. Most of these films received positive reviews and held well but Warner Bros seem to do that a lot with their films lately with films like Edge of Tomorrow and Wonder Woman holding strongly after slightly disappointing openings.

Pokemon: The First Movie opened in April 2000 with £2,833,721 (£4,649,879 inflation inflated) taking £10,761,547 (£17,658,720 inflation inflated) 64%+ ticket inflation since it was release.

Critics described Pokemon: Detective Pikachu as the best film based on a computer game, have been many attempts over the last couple of decades but most have been comparable to 1993’s Super Mario Bros. many said it has broken the computer game to film curse seen so many casualties over the last few decades from Super Mario Bros (Illumination Entertainment currently rebooting) to Warcraft but studios keep attempting to make them. Nintendo recently announced plans to create an extended universe based on their computer games similar to Marvel. Warner Bros have  recently dated Minecraft for a 2022 release, Paramount Pictures release Sonic The Hedgehog in November and Sony have Uncharted due to start shooting shortly.

Detective Pikachu was shot on 35mm as the cinematographer wanted it to look like Bladerunner; a parody video was made last year comparing it to the Ridley Scott film and for the film to look more than just a children’s film. Shooting on film gave the film more vibrant colour palette, the shame is as most of the films today shot on film no one will get to see the film as it was shot.  

In 2016 Pokemon Go augmented reality game was one of the most used and profitable mobile apps in 2016 downloaded more than 500m+ times worldwide. In February 2019 had over 1 billion downloads worldwide still having 147 million monthly active users in May 2018 and in December 2018 had taken $3 billion+ in worldwide revenue.

These numbers show why Hollywood keeps making films based on computer games despite so many of them underwhelming both at the box office and critically as the computer game market dwarfs the film industry. Over $119.6bn was spent last year on video games (194bn apps downloaded worldwide) more than double the size of global box office and profit levels are much higher as production and marketing costs are much less.

Ryan Reynolds released a video in February how he lived and breathed it becoming the character spending the entire year as Detective Pikachu.

A few days before it was due to be released Ryan Reynolds leaked the whole film on YouTube, the film has been viewed almost 19 million times.

Ryan Reynolds has had mixed success at the box office since 2002’s National Lampoon’s Van Wilder was his first lead role (opened with £707,783 taking £1,696,870) a very funny gross-out teen comedy

Starring in many films over the following few years that failed to find wide audiences and then had a small role as Wade Wilson in 2009’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine (few could have expected role would have developed into two Deadpool films taking $1.56bn worldwide including £70m+ in the UK).

His bigger film that year was opposite Sandra Bullock in rom-com The Proposal (taking $317m worldwide including £11m in the UK. Green Lantern followed two years later poorly received by critics and at the box office and then best known for voicing animated films Turbo and The Croods before Deadpool opened in 2016 surprising everyone with its popularity both critically and at the box office. Criminal and Life which followed both underperformed and The Hitman’s Bodyguard was a moderate hit (sequel The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard due to be released next year) and then Deadpool 2 last year.

Pokemon: Detective Pikachu is likely to be front-loaded with John Wick: Chapter 3: Parabellum opening on Wednesday expected to replace it as #1 this weekend and then next week Aladdin and The Secret Life of Pets 2 will see it drop down the charts quickly.  

2. Avengers: Endgame –  £4,414,015 – £80,336,565

2D 86.8% £3,809,557 total 82.4% £66,184,897; 3D 5.5% £241,182 total 11.1% £8,950,127;  IMAX/3D 2.5% £111,259 931,435 total 5.8% £4,670,943; IMAX 5.1% £227,305 total 0.6% £530,598

Dropped 69.2% in its third weekend

Has become the 6^th biggest film in the UK (after Star Wars: The Force Awakens; Skyfall; Spectre; Avatar; Star Wars: The Last Jedi) will overtake Star Wars: The Last Jedi by this weekend; 18^th biggest inflation inflated between Casino Royale and Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

After opening with £43.4m three weeks ago many expected Avengers: Endgame to overtake Star Wars: The Force Awakens to become the biggest film in the UK. But after dropping over 60% for the last two weeks will now come short of £100m and be the third biggest film in the UK.

This does depend on how it holds this weekend against John Wick: Chapter 3: Parabellum as will likely drop another 60%+ (losing its IMAX screens) taking £2m+ and then against the Aladdin, The Secret Life of Pets 2 and Rocketman next weekend.

After having the biggest ever opening and the second biggest second weekend in the UK most would have expected Avengers: Endgame was indestructible against Pokemon Detective Pikachu and should have had one of the biggest third weekends… but Ryan Reynolds has done it against the Avengers as last year with Deadpool 2 defeated the Avengers.

Going into the weekend Avengers: Endgame was surely going to have one of the biggest ever third weekends at the very least beating Avatar (£5,940,479) and getting close to Beauty and the Beast (£6,750,000).

Instead Avengers: Endgame had the 24^th biggest third weekend between Mary Poppins Returns and Titanic and Disney’s 9^th biggest third weekend 23% less than last years Avengers: Infinity War.

Third weekends are normally the week MCU settles its box office down after having the big preview inflated opening, the second weekend would normally drop 60%+ but the third weekend would drop in the 40’s as (Thor: The Dark World, Spider-Man Homecoming, Captain America: Civil War, Avenger Infinity War, Black Panther, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2, Avengers Assemble, Ant-Man and the Wasp and Captain Marvel) but instead dropped similar to (Ant-Man, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: The First Avenger and The incredible Hulk).

Shows that Avengers: Endgame unlike Black Panther, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 1 and Captain America: Winter Soldier hasn’t played beyond its fanbase. Of course Marvel’s fanbase is huge and have been claims that 1 in 5 people in the UK (11.2m) have seen the film, but the real number is probably about a third of that as fans have seen it multiple times using subscription cinema.

Third weekend (less than)

-29% Avenger Infinity War

More than

86%+ Captain America: The First Avenger; 74%+ Iron Man; 69%+ Thor; 64%+ Iron Man 2; 60%+ Captain America: Winter Soldier; 52%+ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 1; 37%+ Captain America: Civil War; 28%+ Iron Man 3; 23%+ Captain Marvel; 20%+ Avengers: Age of Ultron; 15%+ Black Panther; and 6%+ Avengers Assemble.

After breaking many records at the UK box office only held #1 for 2 weeks, 1 week less than the previous Avengers films; was expecting it to hold #1 against Pokemon Detective Pikachu this weekend as it did in the US taking £6-£8m losing to John Wick: Chapter 3: Parabellum next weekend.

In 2012 Avengers Assemble held #1 for 3 weeks dropping 49% in its second weekend taking £8,121,916 against American Pie: Reunion #2 with £6,334,539; down again 49% in its third weekend taking £4,169,087 against American Pie: Reunion #2 £2,546,626 and Dark Shadows #3 £2,404,029. In its fourth weekend The Dictator which opened with £4,963,745 #1 while Avengers Assemble took £2,814,216 and £44,983,702 staying in the top 10 for 9 weeks.

In 2015 Avengers: Age of Ultron held #1 for 3 weeks dropped 53% in its second weekend taking £8,591,670 against Far From The Madding Crowd #2 £1,450,297 and Unfriended #3 £1,346,952; down 59% in its third weekend taking £3,509,620 and £40,353,610 with Spooks: The Greater Good opening #2 with £1,010,363; dropped down to third in its fourth weekend behind Pitch Perfect 2 £5,005,394 and Mad Max: Fury Road £4,538,933 taking £1,661,968 and £43,250,662 in third.

In 2018 Avengers: Infinity War held #1 for 3 weeks dropped 66% in its second weekend taking £10,143,580 against I Feel Pretty #2 £1,272,154 A Quiet Place #3 £395,335 down 57% in its fifth weekend; down 44% in its third weekend taking £5,706,170 and £60,353,842 with Sherlock Gnomes #2 £2,522,342 and I Feel Pretty #3 £931,614 down 27% and £3,097,220; dropped down to second in its fourth weekend behind Deadpool 2 £12,974,669 taking £2,047,469 down 64% and £64,054,508.

22 Marvel Cinematic Universe films have taken over £712m at the UK box office since 2008 and over £740m inflation inflated;

Spider-Man: Far from Home is the next to be released in July with two films dated for May and November currently untitled rumoured to be The Eternals and the long in development Black Widow prequel, with Doctor Strange 2 and Black Panther 2 and Shang-Chi in 2021 their first Asian led comic-book film (was one of the first Marvel comic-book films developed when they first launched their first slate of films in 2004) and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 expected in 2022.

Avengers: Endgame surprised many with no end scene, but many cinemas have opted to screen the new Spider-Man: Far From Home trailer at the end of the film to avoid it being a spoiler to the film as it starts with Spider-Man mourning the loss of Iron Man.

Disney announced their upcoming slate which included eight untitled Marvel Cinematic Universe films Bob Iger said, “In announcing our new slate, we announced two or three, maybe three, new Marvel titles but didn’t say what they were,”…..”Dates without the titles. We obviously know what they are, and there’s a lot of speculation online.”…. “But Marvel hasn’t given me permission to announce today because they want to announce it,”…. “I’m guessing they’re going to do so later this summer.”

But he did say that Avengers: Endgame featured many Easter eggs for future Marvel Cinematic Universe, wasn’t the conclusion to Avengers as it was claimed to be as all the avengers living or dead will return in some form be it a film prequel Black Widow), TV series for Disney+ or film Black Panther 2, Doctor Strange 2, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3, Captain Marvel 2, Captain America: Paradox (two Steve Rogers, Bucky and Falcon) and Iron Man 4 with Harley Keener replacing Tony Stark, the kid who “saved” him in Iron Man 3.

While nothing officially has been announced sequels to Black Panther, Doctor Strange, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3, Black Widow prequel, Eternals and Shang-Chi are all expected to be released over the next few years. Disney have two untitled MCU films set for next year to be released I May and November, title to those are expected this summer.

After the snap at the end of Infinity War that saw Black Panther, Spider-Man and Guardians of the Galaxy dying, knowing that Marvel wouldn’t kill of these characters it was predictable that time-travel would be part of the plot. One of the problem I had with Endgame is that this was the similar plot twist of Deadpool 2 and bringing in time travel plot and they make similar jokes about killing Thanos as a baby, in a cut scene of Deadpool 2 suggest killing Hitler  as a baby.

Time-travel in Avengers: Endgame brings up many issues with the plot, like the two Steve Rogers and why is Peter Parker still in High School, as events happen five years after the snap. All those who returned haven’t aged is it to them as with Any-Man in the Quantum Realm it was only a few minutes but to those who survived 5 years. After 5 years of dealing with the loss of half the life on the planet how would it cope with the return of all those who died, as there wouldn’t be the resources on the planet for all those people.

3. The Hustle – £1,037,478  –  NE

Opened similar to recent female remake What Men Want £836,612 taking £1.95m and 2017’s Snatched £842,489 taking £2.8m

There are some films like The Hustle you only to see the trailer to know how bad the film will be, which is a shame as both Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson have starred in successful comedies. 2008’s Get Smart (opened £1,542,005 taking £4,621,510) and 2016’s How to Be Single (opened with £1,876,539 taking £5,766,935).  

In 2018 MGM announced they were developing a female remake of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, the working title for the film was Nasty Women and is the latest female-centred remake after What Men Want this year from the good Ocean’s Eight to the bad Ghostbusters.

1988 film Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a classic comedy starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine but the trailers for The Hustle look similar to those other female remakes when they are trying to be funny but then just comes off as uncomfortable.

The second trailer for The Hustle has imitated Avengers: Endgame as many films have done in the past most famously with Austin Powers 2, with the tagline if you only see one film this summer see Star Wars, if two see Austin Powers.

Universal Pictures  tried to do something similar with Sisters opening days after Star Wars: The Force Awakens but that failed to find an audience.

MGM have attempted to be build themselves many times over the decades after bankruptcy and this time the studio is centring itself around making reboots, remakes and sequels of their huge library.

Upcoming Child’s Play reboot opens in June, The Adams Family in October and then long in development sequels Legally Blonde 3 and Bill & Ted Face the Music in 2020 along with Bond 25 most of the films will be released internationally via Universal Pictures.

It was announced last month the Russo Brothers (Avengers: Endgame directors) would oversea the remakes made by MHM including The Thomas Crown Affair with Michael B. Jordan attached to star and a live-action remake of The Rats of Nimh;

Disney are likely to do similar with 20th Century Fox preferring to make reboots, remakes and sequels of their library titles for theatrical and streaming services instead of making new films, as seen with them recently shutting down many films 20th Century Fox were developing before they were acquired.

4. Long Shot – £413,059 –  £1,874,148

Doe 51.7% in its second weekend

Disappointing second weekend drop after receiving positive reviews and word of mouth might have expected it to hold better similar to I Feel Pretty last year dropping 27% in its second weekend and £931,614 and £3,097,220 despite Life of the Party opening with £618,311 and Breaking In with £424,675.

Long Shot did hold better than The Spy Who Dumped Me dropping 78% in its second weekend last August £230,993 taking £1,937,670.

Counter-programming used to be very successful opening smaller films against blockbusters but now they suck up all the box office.

5. The Curse of La Llorona  –  £243,601   –  £1,238,998

Down 60% in its second weekend; having the normal heavy second weekend drop for horror films not holding as strongly as previous Conjuring film. Had Warner promoted the film as part of the series and opened ahead of Avengers: Endgame might have performed stronger.

Maybe Warner Bros were concerned about releasing two films from the Conjuring universe within a few months of them with Annabelle Comes Home opening in June as the first two films performed strongly in the UK as has the other five Conjuring films, taking over £40m.

Horror as become a key part of Warner bros slate over recent years with the sequel to It opening in September; teaser was released last week; the teaser for the first trailer released in March 2017 was the most watched trailer ever (187m views within 24 hours) until Avengers: Infinity War trailer released in November 2017 with 230m views. No viewing numbers have been released so far for the sequel but on YouTube has been seen over 31m times, while the trailer generated much social media coverage when it was released.  

A cinema in Canada screened The Curse of La Llorona  instead of Pokemon Detective Pikachu screening horror trailers before it terrifying the children watching it. This seem to happen regularly with horror trailers playing with children’s films (in March it was horror trailers Brightburn and Ma with Peppa Pig) might think was possibly done on purpose? With The Secret Life of Pets 2 some cinema will surely play Child Play trailer.

UK box office in detail

This weekend’s top 10 box office took £12,057,386 down 33.1% from last weekend £18,037,256

The weekend admissions 961,618 down 61.5% from last weekend 2,498,235; average ticket £7.22 down from last year’s £7.49 but Applaudience estimate ticket price of £10.28

17 films opened at weekend taking (£6,710,670); Pokemon Detective Pikachu 73.8% (£4,951,838); The Hustle 15.4% (£1,037,478); remaining 15 films shared 10.7% (£721,354)

Top three took 87.1% (£10,403,331) of the top 10; Pokemon Detective Pikachu 41.4% (£4,951,838); Avengers: Endgame 36.9% (£4,414,015); The Hustle 8.6% (£1,037,478)    

The weekend was up 5.4% from 2018: (£11,439,663); Sherlock Gnomes (£2,522,342); Life of the Party (£618,311); Breaking In (£424,675); Entebbe (£138,390); How to Talk to Girls at Parties (£23,311); Anon (£19,108); #1 Avengers: Infinity War £5,706,170 44% drop 3rd week 636 screens  (49.8% of top 10)

Up 8.2% from 2017: (£11,133,770); Alien: Covenant (£5,178,531); Der Rosenkavalier – Met Opera 2017 (£313,653); Miss Sloane (£190,295); The Last Face (£46,414);  #1 Alien: Covenant £5,178,531 626 screens 1st week (46.5% of top 10)  

Up 32.4% from 2016: (£9,103,851): Angry Birds (£2,138,507); Our Kind of Traitor (£358,180); Everybody Wants Some!! (£169,764); Green Room (£144,517); Mustang (£65,038); Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (£58,798); The Darkness (£51,490); #1 Captain America: Civil War £2,789,985 42% drop 586 screens 3^rd week (30.6% of top 10)

Up 38.6% from 2015; (£8,695,042); Spooks: The Greater Good (£1,010,363); The Age Of Adaline (£570,386); Big Game (£535,905); Girlhood (£66,574); A Royal Night Out (£9,241); Top Five (£64,612); Rosewater (£11,838); #1 Avengers: The Age Of Ultron £8,591,670 565 screens 2^nd week 59% drop (40.3% of top 10)

Down 8.6% from 2014: (£13,200,641); Bad Neighbours (£8,446,240); Sabotage (£300,521); La Cenerentola – Met Opera 2014 (£285,597); Frank (£202,747); The Wind Rises (£199,598); Next Goal Wins (£17,145); #1 Bad Neighbours £8,446,240 506 screens 1^st week (63.9% of top 10)

Down 15.4% from 2013: (£14,089,241); Star Trek: Into Darkness (£8,431,574); Mud (£239,037); Deadfall (£33,987); Vehicle 19 (£239); #1 Star Trek: Into Darkness £8,431,574 554 screens 1^st week (59.8% of top 10)

Up 8.9% from 2012 (£11,071,152); Dark Shadows (£2,404,029); Piranha 3DD (£242,889); How I Spent My Summer Vacation (£152,728); Jeff Who Lives at Home (£92,472); All in Good Time (£76,111); Cafe De Flore (£43,719); #1 Avengers Assemble £4,169,087 3^rd week 498 screens 49% drop (37.6% of top 10)

Up 25.5% from 2011 (£9,607,222); Water for Elephants (£1,270,483); Hanna (£1,135,782); Something Borrowed (£707,863); 13 Assassins (£124,377); #1 Thor £1,946,695 64% drop 2^nd week 503 screens (44.4% of top 10)

Down 6.1% from 2010: (£12,841,846); Iron Man 2 (£7,664,732); The Last Song (£679,698); The Disappearance of Alice Creed (£142,324); Gentlemen Broncos (£1,125); #1 Iron Man 2 £7,664,732 1^st week 521 screens (69.6% of top 10)

Down 15.4% from 2009; (£14,256,881); Star Trek (£5,950,203); Coraline (£2,427,244); Cheri (£120,234);  #1 Star Trek £5,950,203 499 screens 1^st week (41.7% of top 10)

Up 126.8% from 2008; (£5,315,678); What Happens in Vegas…(£1,263,093); Speed Racer (£362,102); Doomsday (£311,383); Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden? (£26,550); #1 Iron Man £1,976,721 2^nd week 499 screens 64% drop (37.2% of top 10)

Up 24.8% from 2007:(£9,654,662); 28 Weeks Later (£1,575,620); My Best Friend (£117,440);  Spider-Man 3 £5,596,612 2^nd week 522 screens 53% drop (57.9% of top 10)

Up 109.5% from 2006; (£5,753,595); Prime (£851,322); When a Stranger Calls (£494,131); Brick (£142,878); #1 Mission: Impossible III £2,751,733 2^nd week 511 screens 49% drop (47.8% of top 10)

Up 133.5% from 2005 (£5,161,794); Monster-in-Law (£1,312,679); The Jacket (£175,773); A Good Woman (£130,193); Seed of Chucky (£109,110); #1 Kingdom of Heaven £1,385,529 2^nd week 450 screens (26.8% of top 10)

Up 33.2% from 2004 (£9,050,154); Van Helsing (£5,429,632); Laws of Attraction (£433,962); Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (£177,036); Van Helsing £5,429,632 1^st week 458 screens (59.9% of top 10)

Up 75.9% from 2003 (£6,850,974); Old School (£742,478); Darkness Falls (£483,739); Hope Springs (£366,352); I Capture the Castle (£138,142); #1 X-Men 2 £7,037,861 2^nd week 454 screens 56% drop (44.9% of top 10)

Up 119.9% from 2002 (£5,480,784); Dog Soldiers (£681,348); Slackers (£152,078); I Am Sam (£151,079); #1 About A Boy £2,239,288 444 screens 3^rdweek 32% drop (27.7% of top 10)

Next weekend in 2018: (£17,042,583); Deadpool 2 (£12,974,669); An American in Paris – The Musical (£68,201); On Chesil Beach (£67,017); 2001: A Space Odyssey (Re) (£4,646); #1 Deadpool 2 £12,974,669 636 screens 1^st week (76.1% of top 10)

Also opened

• Amazing Grace – Studiocanal

Opened with £166,593 from 69 screens

UK Box Office Top 10

US Box office

• Avengers: Endgame – Disney

Dropped 57.2% in its third weekend taking $63.29m and $723.74m

Avengers: Endgame is the 3^rd biggest film in the US overtaking Avengers: Infinity War ($679m) and Black Panther ($700m) and will overtake Avatar ($760.5m) by next weekend

Disney now have 8 of the top 10 (6 from Disney Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, Marvel’s The Avengers, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Incredibles 2 and Avatar from 20^th Century Fox)

Had the fourth biggest second weekend in the US after Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($90.24m); Avatar ($68.39m) and Black Panther ($66.3m) just ahead of Avengers: Infinity War ($63.07m); showing that it when faced with real competition it won’t gave the legs of Black Panther or The Avengers.  

Avengers: Endgame just managed to squeeze past Pokemon Detective Pikachu this weekend but John Wick: Chapter 3: Parabellum will almost certainly now replace it from #1 next weekend opening with $50m+.

In 2012 Marvel’s The Avengers held #1 for three weeks replaced by MIB 3 opening with $54.59m)

In 2015 Avengers: Age of Ultron held #1 for two weeks replaced by Pitch Perfect 2 $69.21m; and Mad Max: Fury Road $45.42m

In 2018 Avengers: Infinity War held #1 for three weeks replaced by Deadpool 2 $125.5m;

Incredible that the second biggest film in the US will only be #1 for three weeks; last week Black Panther was #1 for 4 weeks which was the longest #1 since Avatar (7 weeks) Titanic #1 for an incredible 15 weeks in 1997/98. The longest was E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial with 16 weeks, but the 80s were a completely different time as film rang for year or more in cinemas now even Avengers: Endgame will be playout before July in cinemas.

Third weekend drops

Infinity War dropped 45.9%; Black Panther 40.6% Avengers 46%; Avengers: Age of Ultron 50%; Star Wars: The Force Awakens 39.5%; Star Wars: The Last Jedi 55%; Jurassic World 48.8%

Took $102.3m from 55 territories and $1.762bn; China $610.1m; UK $104.9m; Korea $96.6m; Brazil $72.5m; Mexico $69.7m; India $58.4m; Germany $54.5m; Australia $52.2m; France $51.8m; Japan $42.7m; Russia $41.3m; Indonesia $33.3m; Italy $31.6m; Philippines $31.2m; Spain $28.5m; Hong Kong $26.5m

2^nd biggest film worldwide between Avatar and Titanic taking $2.485bn; Disney now have 7 of the top 10 (6 from Disney, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, Marvel’s The Avengers, Avengers: Age of Ultron and Avatar from 20th Century Fox).

Avengers: Endgame is moving now much slower to topple Avatar as the biggest film globally, but after opening with $1.2bn worldwide in three days should be taking over $3bn worldwide easily. Over the last 10 years have been many films industry had expected to topple Avatar after having massive global openings including Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Avengers: Infinity War and Jurassic World but they failed to do so, while Avengers: Endgame will do so thanks to taking over $600m from China.

Over the last few years Chinese box office has inflated many film global box office but not increased the profits of the films as much die to the rental being more than half of that from many other countries.

With Avengers: Endgame supposedly the conclusion of the Avengers film (will of course be hundreds more Marvel films) but what film could possibly top Avengers: Endgame? Hames Cameron brings Avatar sequels from 2021 but can the possibly be the huge success the first film was in 2009, as the films haven’t aged as well,

20^th Century Fox must have agreed to making four sequels with James Cameron as at that time they were batting out with Disney to have yearly tentpoles, but now being part of Disney they will open in alternative years at Christmas to new Star Wars films. After the mixed reception and slightly disappointing performance at the box office of Star Wars: The Last Jedi there is much expectation on Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker to end the nine-film series as well as it began 42 years ago.

22 Marvel Cinematic Universe films have now taken $8.01bn in the US and $21.14bn worldwide

• Pokemon Detective Pikachu – Warner Bros

Opened with $54.36m; received positive reviews (64% Rotten Tomatoes score) and A- CinemaScore

Sunday estimates were $58m but actual figures dropped to $54m

The 40+ video game adaptions have taken over $1.57bn in the US since 1980 but few have been successful 2001’s Lara Croft: Tomb Raider the biggest taking $131.2m and $275m worldwide

1999’s Pokemon: The First Movie opened $31.03m taking $85.8m and $163.6m worldwide

2000’s Pokemon: The Movie 2000 opened $19.57m taking $43.7m and $134m worldwide

2001’s Pokemon 3: The Movie opened $8.24m taking $17.1m and $68.4m worldwide

The six Pokemon films have taken $203.39m in the US and $581.8m worldwide

First trailer viewed over 100m times in its first 24 hours in November setting a new record of 400,000 mentions in Twitter; the second over 25m times since February and a third was released at the end of April.

Over the years Warner Bros have released many films in the second weekend of May only Great Gatsby  $50.1m and Troy $46.8m have had successful openings for the studio with Quest for Camelot, Battlefield Earth, Poseidon, Speed Racer, Dark Shadows and King Arthur: Legend of the Sword all having disappointing openings.

The second weekend of May used to mark the start of the summer season (until Marvel brought it forward to the end of April)

2014’s Neighbors was the last film to open strongly in second weekend of May with $49.03m with The Great Gatsby a year earlier; Angels & Demons in 2009 with $46.2m; Van Helsing in 2004 with $51.7m; Deep Impact in 1998 with $41.1m; Twister in 1996 with $41.05m.

In January 2019 Legendary Pictures announced they were already developing a sequel.

Took $103m from 62 territories and $112.4m total

• The Hustle – United Artists

Opened with $13m; received poor reviews (17% Rotten Tomatoes score) and B- CinemaScore

Took $774k  from previews similar to 2018’s Life of the Party $700k opening with $17.8m and 2017’s Snatched $650k opened with $19.5 million.

The Hustle is a reboot of 1998’s Dirty Rotten Scoundrels made by Orion Pictures; opened in December 1988 with $3,840,498 taking $42,039,085 was the 24th biggest film of the year #1 Rain Man.

MGM acquired Orion Pictures in 1997; Orion Pictured were one of the many independent film distributors that tried unsuccessfully to take on the studios launched in 1978 winning four Best Picture Oscars for Amadeus, Platoon, Dances with Wolves and The Silence of the Lambs.

Female reboots have received a mixed reception by audiences and critics 2016’s Ghostbusters reboot was surrounded by misogynistic vitriol, while last year’s Ocean’s Eight was much more positively received, Overboard not so much and What Men Want was also successful this year.

The Hustle is likely to preform similar to 2017’s Snatched opened with $19,542,24 taking $45,852,178 and 2015’s Hot Pursuit opened with $13,942,258 taking $34,580,201

MGM have attempted to be build themselves many times over the decades after bankruptcy and this time the studio is centring itself around making reboots, remakes and sequels of their huge library.

Upcoming Child’s Play reboot opens in June, The Adams Family in October and then long in development sequels Legally Blonde 3 and Bill & Ted Face the Music in 2020 along with Bond 25 most of the films will be released internationally via Universal Pictures.

Disney are likely to do similar with 20th Century Fox preferring to make reboots, remakes and sequels of their library titles for theatrical and streaming services instead of making new films, as seen with them recently shutting down many films 20th Century Fox were developing before they were acquired.

Opened with $13.7m from 36 territories

• Poms – STX

Opened with $5.36m; received poor reviews (30% Rotten Tomatoes score) and B+ CinemaScore

Took $225,000 from Thursday previews; last years Book Club took $625k opened $13.58m taking $68.56m and Second Act $290k opened with $6.48m taking $39.28m.

Similar films 2017’s Going in Style took $650k from previews opening with $11.93m taking $45.01,  2016’s Mother’s Day opening with $8,369,184 taking $32,492,859 and 2015’s The intern took $650k opening with $17.72m taking $75.68m.

Was surprising STX decided to open Poms the same week as The Hustle as by doing so they have cannibalized each other as they both try to get a Mother Day boost on Sunday.

• Long Shot – Lionsgate

Dropped 35.61% in its second weekend taking $6.27m and $19.88m

Second weekends

2018’s The Spy Who Dumped Me dropped 46.6% taking $6.46m and $24.42m total $33.56m

2015’s The Night Before dropped 15.2% taking $8.37m and $24.27m total $43.04m

similarly themed

1995’s The American President dropped only 3% taking $9.71m and $24.92m total $60.07m[

• UglyDolls – STX

Dropped 51.8% in its second weekend taking $4.14m and $14.5m

Holding similar to 2017’s My Little Pony: The Movie second weekend taking $4.11m and $15.62m taking $21.88m.

Uglydolls is made me think of the forgettable 2003 flop From Justin to Kelly as STX  were trying to repeat the success of Trolls of Justin Timberlake Can’t Stop This Feeling has been vowed over 1 billion times on YouTube while Kelly Clarkson’s I’m Broken and Beautiful only 2 million times 

• The Intruder – Sony Pictures

Dropped 33.8% in its second weekend taking $7.19m and $21.56m; having the best decline in the top 10

It is a loose remake of the film Cold Creek Manor which took $4.4m in its second weekend and $14.64m taking $21.38m and $29.11m worldwide; Screen Gems acquired world rights to the film then called Motivated Seller at the Cannes Film Festival last year.

Holding similar to last year’s Breaking In taking $6.82m in its second weekend and $29.1m taking $46.84m

2^nd weekend

1992’s Unlawful Entry took $6.53m and $21.53m taking $57.13m

1990’s Pacific Heights took $5.61m and $14.38m taking $29.38m

• Tolkien – Fox Searchlight

Opened with $2.2m; received missed reviews (47% Rotten Tomatoes score) A- CinemaScore

Its very rare for Fox Searchlight to open a film wide as normally they platform but with mixed reviews needed to open wide as would have a short playing time.

Other wide openings include 28 Days Later, The Hills Have Eyes, The Secret Life of Bees, Notorious, The Ringer, The Second-Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Johnson Family Vacation, The Banger Sisters, Brown Sugar, Street Kings, Kingdom Come, Baggage Claim and Just Wright.

It’s the first Fox Searchlight Pictures since 20th Century Fox was acquired by the Walt Disney Company in March 2019.

2019 is the 25^th anniversary of Fox Searchlight released 185 films since (The Brothers McMullen first release in August 1995); taking $2.63bn biggest films Juno and Slumdog Millionaire.

Upcoming releases Ready or Not, Lucy in the Sky, JoJo Rabbit, Wendy, The Eyes of Tammy Faye and The French Dispatch; while Disney are expected to cut the number of films 20^th Century Fox make Disney have said they don’t plan to change the amount of film Fox Searchlight make

Finding Neverland opened November 2004 $220,524 on limited release taking $51,680,613

Miss Potter opening in December 2006 $9,653 on limited release taking $3,005,605          

Saving Mr Banks opened December 2013 $413,373 on limited release taking $83,301,580               

Goodbye Christopher Robin opened October $57,917 on limited release taking $1,735,251            

While The Lord of the Rings trilogy took $1.0bn in the US and $2.91bn worldwide; last fil release 16 years ago inflated box office would be double now.

UK Box Office Predictions

The first John Wick film opened 6 months after its US release and a week after Fast & Furious 7 with £539,602 taking £1.5m despite receive positive reviews became a huge success on home entertainment. 

John Wick: Chapter 2 opened in February 2017 with £2,232,055 (including £248,415 previews) third after second weekends of The Lego Batman Movie and Fifty Shades Darker taking £5,766,633

John Wick: Chapter 3: Parabellum has received strong buzz for the last couple of weeks with Keanu Reeves in the UK promoting the film and received positive reviews; opening on Wednesday had a five-day opening which should see it opening with £3.5m- £4m giving Lionsgate tier second #1 this year after fighting With My Family.

Pokemon Detective Pikachu  will drop 40%+ in its second weekend taking £3m+  and with the arrival of John Wick 3 Avengers: Endgame will likely drop another 60%+ in its fourth weekend taking about £2m

Critics have called the John Wick films the second-best current action film franchise; Tom Cruise and Keanu Reeves are similar again and Paramount recently announced Mission Impossible 7 and 8 for release in 2021 and 2022. Can probably can expect Lionsgate to announce plans for a John Wick 4 and 5 over a similar period if John Wick: Chapter 3: Parabellum is the expected hit   

Christian drama Breakthrough is unlikely to find an audience in the UK as religious films apart from The Passion of the Christ don’t travel well.

Paw Patrol: Mighty Pups opens ahead of half-term holidays targetting younger audiences; Vue Cinemas as with Peppa Pig: Festival of Fun are selling tickets at a reduced rate for the 66-minute-long film, while rivals exhibitors have regular prices. How van exhibitors justify full price tickets for such a short film as like Peppa Pig it should be used as a way to get younger children excited about going to the cinema and to build its customer base.

As I have said previously with Peppa Pig Paw Patrol is likely to be many children’s first experience in the cinema, if they like it they will be back many more times, but if parents feel like they are being ripped off then they won’t.

Was much talk about having an interval for Avengers: Endgame but I do think an interval would be best with films targetting younger audiences, as they often get restless halfway through if there was an interval then would lessen the interruptions to others. With films playing in multiple screens in multiplexes it should be possible to have a screen that has screenings with an interval and then others that don’t. while for the exhibitor they could be quite locative as would also likely see more popcorn and drinks sold.

Warner Bros release 4K versions of Batman films to celebrate the 30^th anniversary of Tim Burton’s film as always with these anniversaries they are tied to their US release and not UK.

What amazes me is that cinemas are charging regular prices for a 30-year-old film; if exhibitors wanted to attract audiences to see these films again on the big screen they should be at a reduced price?

 In 1989 Batman opened in the US in June and I the UK in August (was the first 12 certificate) with £2,058,159 (£6,377,643 inflation inflated) taking £12,034,291 (£37,290,807 inflation inflated); Batman Returns opened in 1992 with £2,780,000 (£6,252,835 inflation inflated) taking £11,034,105 (£24,818,143 inflation inflated; 1995’s Batman Forever £4,703,430 (£9,758,266) and 1997’s Batman and Robin £4,900,000 (£8,692,383).

 This weekend is the calm before the storm of Aladdin and Rocketman opening next Wednesday and The Secret Life of Pets 2 on Friday.

Opening in UK Next Week

• Aladdin – Disney

Musical fantasy remake of Disney’s 1992 animated film starring Mena Massoud in the titular role, alongside Will Smith, Naomi Scott, Marwan Kenzari, Navid Negahban, Nasim Pedrad, and Billy Magnussen and directed by Guy Ritchie.

Guy Ritchie was announced as the director in October 2016 and Will Smith signed as the genie in July 2017.

The first poster and teaser trailer were revealed in October; in February audiences saw Will Smith as a Genie for the first time received negative reactions, in March a second trailer was revealed receiving a better reaction including more songs.

The problem with remaking Aladdin is Robin Williams was such a massive part of the original film and audience who have grown up with the film will find it hard with Will Smith trying to imitate it

26 years ago Aladdin was the second biggest film of the year after Jurassic Park despite opening in  1992 (was one of the final films Disney released through Warner Bros before they opened Buena Vista International with Sister Act their first release in November 1992). Aladdin took £16,115,822  would be £52,163,050 today almost as much as Bohemian Rhapsody and Dunkirk.

A year later The Lion King was the biggest film of 1994 taking over £34,077,997 (Four Weddings and a Funeral was second with £27,762,650) would be £108,944,735 today (seventh biggest film ever between LOTR: The Fellowship of the Ring and Jurassic Park. As trailers for both look like the reimaginations are almost scene by scene remakes then would expect both to do similar box office?

The 11 Disney reimaginations have taken almost £20m at the box of office and over £320m inflation inflated.

Aladdin had its world premiere in France on May 8^th with is UK premiere the day after; social media reaction has been mixed while review embargo ends hours before it opens in the UK on 22^nd May. Review embargo ended late for Avengers: Endgame but that was  to avoid spoilers while the spoiler for Aladdin was released 27 years ago when the original Disney animated film was released.

All the footage released so far for Aladdin has been wishy-washy much different to the animated film which had so much energy from Robin Williams, as Will Smith has said himself he has used his role as The Fresh prince of Bel-Air as his genie, but the TV series is older than the animated film.

In the 90s Will Smith was a huge star Independence Day, Men in Black, Bad Boys, his music but over the last decade his films haven’t been as successful and has been overshadowed by his son Jaden.  While Robin Williams in 1992 had much less of a back catalogue of films had just starred in Hook but was well know for his stand-up  something Will Smith is not known for.

Disney’s reimaginations be it their lie-action remakes of Star Wars films are about nostalgia targetting those who were children when the original films  were released and younger audience which makes the casting of Will Smith a surprise as he will attract the adults, but those are also the ones who will say his not our genie.

With The Secret Life of Pets 2 also opening against Aladdin makes it different to compare it with previous Disney reimaginations as most of them opened with limited competition as would look towards 2017’s Beauty and the Beast (£19.7m) if it had the weekend to itself but instead 2016’s The Jungle Book (£9,901,921). Dumbo still managed to open with £6,076,779 despite mixed reviews and it’s not as beloved animated film as Aladdin.

In the US Aladdin has been tracking to open with $80m+ and $100m+ for its five-day opening which would be close to the 10% many of these films open to (Alice In Wonderland $116m Vs £10.55m; Maleficent $69.4m Vs £5.59m and The Jungle Book $103.26m Vs £9.9m).

• The Secret Life of Pets 2 – Universal Pictures

Animated comedy sequel to The Secret Life of Pets made by Illumination Entertainment featuring the voices of Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart, Jenny Slate, Ellie Kemper, Lake Bell, Dana Carvey, Hannibal Buress, Bobby Moynihan, Renaud, Patton Oswalt, Tiffany Haddish, Nick Kroll and Harrison Ford and directed by Chris Renaud and Jonathan Del Val.

Originally set for July 2019 release, then delayed to June 7^th, 2019 opening two weeks earlier in the UK to open ahead the lucrative half-term holidays and give it five-week gap between Toy Story 4 (instead of in the US only 2 weeks).

Trailer was released on April 11^th National Pet Day

As with The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part and How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World opens without the normal weekend previews have become regular for most children’s films over the decade artificially inflated their openings. Was surprising it didn’t have previews the weekend before but possibly thought Pokemon Detective Pikachu its box office could be squeezed by its second weekend.

The Secret Life of Pets opened in June 2016 with £9,580,039 (including £3,630,044 previews) £5,949,995 Fri-Sun taking £35,825,195. 4^th biggest Illumination Entertainment film.

The Secret Life of Pets 2 is the first time Illumination Entertainment has opened directly against Disney film so will likely cannibalize with Aladdin playing for similar audience.

• Rocketman – Paramount Pictures

Biographical musical drama starring Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden and Bryce Dallas Howard and directed by Dexter Fletcher;  film is titled after Elton John’s 1972 song Rocket Man.

As with Bohemian Rhapsody the Elton John biopic had a long development starting in 2012 with Justin Timberlake Elton John’s first choice to play him. Michael Gracey attached to direct with Tom Hardy cast in October 2013 and Focus Features acquired US rights and was set to start shooting in autumn 2014 but due to creative differences between Elton John and Focus Features along with budget issues they moved the film to Paramount Pictures.

The project moved to Paramount Pictures with Matthew Vaughn attached to produce, Taron Egerton cast as Elton John and Dexter Fletcher replaced Michael Gracey (who was making The Greatest Showman for 20th Century Fox) as director in April 2018 and started shooting in August after he  had completed Bohemian Rhapsody.

While many believe Rocketman is an Elton John biopic as with Bohemian Rhapsody critics expected a Queen biopic, but when you have the musical talent involved into the film will be more a musical fantasy as the film is being promoted. Rocketman is expected to be a similar kind of fan friendly biopic as Bohemian Rhapsody will be a greatest hits of Elton John. Rather than The Doors which was an Oliver Stone expose disliked by the band, fans and critics.

When musicians are the producers the film as with Rocketman and Bohemian Rhapsody they are never going to be the kind of biopic critics want them to be but more for the fans.

Two years ago Universal Pictures acquired the rights to Blonde Ambition Madonna biopic, but she disapproved of the idea saying “Nobody knows what I know and what I have seen. Only I can tell my story. Anyone else who tries is a charlatan and a fool.. Looking for instant gratification without doing the work. This is a disease in our society.” While saw Universal Pictured pull the project, have been similar pans for a David Bowie biopic but his estate won’t give approval to use his music. Making a biopic is a careful balancing act when making a biopic that doesn’t hurt the imagine of the artist which Oliver Stone’s The Doors biopic did.

Taron Egerton had appeared with Elton John in 2017 film Kingsman: The Golden Circle, and Egerton also sang “I’m Still Standing” in the 2016 animated film Sing. While editing Kingsman Matthew Vaughn came on to the project if Egerton played Elton

Has its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on 16 May 2019 and UK premiere on May 20^th (paid previews across the UK same time as the premiere) before opening in cinemas on Wednesday May 22^nd opening in the US o May 31^st (early tracking of $25m+; early tracking for Bohemian Rhapsody was $35m+ but opened with $51m 36% more).

With musician biopics like Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman I look to the excellent Cameron Crowe 2000 film Almost Famous (featuring Elton John’s Tiny Dance and Mona Lisa’s and Mad hatters). An underrated film that failed to find an audience in the US or the UK

2019 is the year of Elton John with a biopic, a world tour and The Lion King reimagination with

Rocketman is the fifth film made y Rocket Pictures, a British production company Elton John created in 1996 to produce music themed films and TV projects. It originally had a 10 year first-look production deal with Disney but didn’t make any films for Disney. Previous films were 1999’s Women Talking Dirty, 2006’s It’s a Boy Girl Thing, 2011’s Gnomeo & Juliet and then made the sequel Sherlock Gnomes last year for Paramount Pictures and currently developing film of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat for STX.  

Rocketman has been compared a lot to Bohemian Rhapsody, it could be almost the second part of the Live Aid Extended Universe, but Bohemian Rhapsody opened at a much quieter time with much less competition. Rocketman opens against Aladdin and The Secret Life of Pets 2, week after John Wick: Chapter 3: Parabellum and week before Godzilla: King of the Monsters (both generated strong buzz).

Bohemian Rhapsody opened with £9,530,463 (including £3,100,000 previews) taking £6,430,463 Fri-Sun dropping only 39% in its second weekend taking £54,921,586 28^th biggest film in the UK.

Rocketman is in a similar position as The Greatest Showman was in opened December 2017 behind Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and pitch Perfect 3 with £2,575,147 but had very long legs outlasting all of them in the top 10 playing wide in cinemas till May taking £47,280,000.

The difference is Rocketman has had huge marketing campaign and has world premiere this week at the Cannes Film Festival and the UK premiere in London a few days later and will generate huge media coverage. The Greatest Showman opened with very little media attention but became the people’s champion.

Opening in the US

• Aladdin – Disney

All the trailers and clips released of Aladdin have felt very meh even more so watching the original as it feels like it’s trying too hard and just comes off as dull. Huge fan of Will Smith films from Independence Day, Men In Black and I, Robot. But feel was a little uninspiring casting to have Will Smith as the genie especially as its almost 30 years since The Fresh Prince and comes off Wilder Wild West? Probably been better having his son instead?

Aladdin was tracked to open with $80m over its opening weekend and $100m over Memorial Day weekend would be similar to 2013’s Oz The Great and Powerful $79.1m taking $234.91m and 2016’s The Jungle Book opening $103.26m taking $364m.

In the US Aladdin has less competition over Memorial weekend than the UK as Brightburn and Booksmart are targetting different demographics as well as the holders from the weekend before John Wick: Chapter 3: Parabellum, The Sun Is Also a Star and A Dog’s Journey.

Will Smith was the king of Hollywood in the 90s with back to back hits Bad Boys, Independence Day, Men in Black and Enemy of the State but then came Wild Wild West which knocked him of his game and wanted to act making Ali biopic and probably starred in Men in Black II and Bad Boys II to make it happen. Over the last decade he hasn’t had the hits, his is still a great showman.

After Aladdin stars in Ang Lee sci-fi thriller Gemini Man, voices Spies in Disguise and Bad Boys for Life opening 16 years after the sequel and 24 years after the first film.

• Booksmart – United Artists

Comedy starring Kaitlyn Dever, Beanie Feldstein, Jessica Williams, Will Forte, Lisa Kudrow, and Jason Sudeikis and directed by Olivia Wilde produced by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay.

Had its world premiere at South by Southwest in March receiving critical acclaim currently 100% Rotten Tomatoes score.

20 years ago Booksmart is the film you would expect to be  a sleeper success but as with the Big Sick in 2017 despite rave reviews and strong word of mouth it will find it hard to find an audience; The Big Sick opened on platform with $421,577 performed well on platform but expanded too fast taking $42.87m.

After recent comedies Long Shot, The Hustle and Poms failed to find a wide audience Booksmart is also sadly unlikely to find an audience. While industry celebrates the success of Avengers: Endgame its films like Booksmart it should be championing and needs to be a success.

• Brightburn – Sony Pictures

Superhero horror starring Elizabeth Banks, David Denman, Jackson A. Dunn, Matt Jones and Meredith Hagner and directed by David Yarovesky.

Was originally announced in December 2017 as untitled James Gunn horror project before he was dropped by Marvel Studios from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (he was later reinstated).

Was original going to be promoted at Comic Con but it was pulled after James Gunn was removed from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and its release date was moved from November 30^th to May 24^th; the first trailer was released in December receiving positive respond describing it a Superman horror film

Expected to open between $10-$12 million

• The Tomorrow Man – Bleecker Street

Drama starring John Lithgow, Blythe Danner, Derek Cecil, Katie Aselton, Sophie Thatcher, and Eve Harlow written and directed by Noble Jones; had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival receiving positive reviews (71% Rotten Tomatoes).

Bleecker Street acquired US rights ahead of its screening at the Sundance Film Festival were Sony Pictures acquired international rights.