‘Incredibles 2’ crushes records with $180M
Sequel a superhero with best animated opening, biggest PG-rated launch
LOS ANGELES — The combination of superheroes, the Pixar brand and a drought of familyfriendly films helped “Incredibles 2” become the best animated opening of all time, the biggest PG-rated launch ever and the 8th highest film launch overall.
Disney estimated Sunday that the film earned $180 million in its first weekend in North American theaters — far surpassing industry analysts’ expectations of $120 to $140 million.
The previous animation recordholder was another Pixar sequel, “Finding Dory,” with a $135 million launch in 2016. Disney’s liveaction “Beauty and the Beast” held the record for a PG debut with $174.8 million in 2017.
Adults made up 31 percent of the audience, families accounted for 57 percent and teens 11 percent.
“Incredibles 2” comes 14 years after “The Incredibles,” which boasted one of the biggest animated openings ever, and picks up where the first film left off with the superhero family. Brad Bird returned to write and direct the sequel.
“This is one of the biggest over performances I’ve ever seen,” said comScore senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian. “To overperform by $40 million means everyone underestimated the power of animation to draw huge audiences.”
“Incredibles 2” is also the second biggest June debut, behind only “Jurassic World” ($208.8 million), which has its own sequel “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” opening in North America next weekend.
“Ocean’s 8” was second in its second weekend with $19.6 million. The R-rated comedy “Tag” opened in third place with $14.6 million.
“Solo: A Star Wars Story,” fell to fourth place with $9.1 million and “Deadpool 2” rounded out the top five earning $8.8 million.
Sony’s “Superfly” remake was in seventh place in its first weekend with $6.3 million, and “Gotti,” starring John Travolta, opened outside the top 10. Playing in 503 locations, the long-delayed film, which has a 0 percent Rotten Tomatoes rating, took in $1.7 million.