‘Panther’ has record debut with $192M
Superhero sensation “Black Panther” won critical acclaim and set box-office earnings records in its opening week.
A wave of feverish anticipation, fawning critical acclaim and groundbreaking cultural meaning pushed “Black Panther” to a recordsetting $192 million debut in U.S. and Canadian theaters, firmly establishing the superhero sensation as a box-office landmark.
The Marvel film from the Walt Disney Co. blew past expectations to become the fifth-highest-grossing debut ever, not adjusting for inflation, following only “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” “Jurassic World” and “The Avengers.”
In estimates Sunday, Disney predicted a four-day holiday weekend of $218 million domestically and a global debut of $361 million.
Though the film’s international footprint doesn’t include several of the largest markets — China, Russia and Japan — it ranks among the top 15 global debuts ever. It’s also the highest-grossing February opening weekend.
Ryan Coogler’s film, which cost about $200 million to make, is the most expensive movie with a largely black ensemble and among the few to be centered on a black superhero.
The strong opening suggests “Black Panther” will easily set a box-office record for films directed by a black filmmaker.
The previous best is Sidney Poitier’s 1980 comedy “Stir Crazy,” which took in $322 million domestically, when inflation is calculated.
“Black Panther” set presale records and saw lines around theaters over the weekend, including some who came costumed for the event.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to comScore. Final four-day domestic figures will be released Tuesday.
1. “Black Panther”:
$192million
2. “Peter Rabbit”: $17.3 million
3. “Fifty Shades Freed”: $16.9 million
4. “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”: $7.9 million
5. “The 15:17 to Paris”: $7.7million
6. “The Greatest Showman”: $5.1million
7. “Early Man”: $3.2 million
8. “Maze Runner: The Death Cure”: $2.5 million
9. “Winchester”: $2.2 million
10. “Samson”: $2million