‘Captain Marvel’ soars to $153 million debut
Superhero film is among biggest blockbusters ever led by a woman
NEW YORK – “Captain Marvel,” Marvel Studios’ first female-fronted superhero movie, launched with an estimated $153 million domestically and $455 million globally, according to studio estimates Sunday. That makes it one of the biggest blockbusters ever led by a woman.
The result came in at the high end of expectations for “Captain Marvel,” and it ranks as one of Marvel’s most successful character debuts. Only “The Avengers” movies, “Black Panther,” “Captain America: Civil War” and “Iron Man 3” have opened better in the Marvel cinematic universe.
“She definitely pushed us higher, further, faster,” says Disney distribution chief Cathleen Taff.
“Captain Marvel” rocketed up other record books, too. It sets a new worldwide mark for a film directed or co-directed by a woman. “Captain Marvel” was headed by the filmmaking team of Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck.
It was easily the best opening of any movie thus far in 2019. And for Disney, it’s a strong start for a year littered with tentpole releases, some of which are sure to surpass “Captain Marvel,” including: “Avengers Endgame,” “Toy Story 4,” a remake of “The Lion King” and the next “Star Wars” movie.
Last week’s top film, “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World,” slid to a distant second with $14.7 million. In its second weekend, Tyler Perry’s “A Madea Family Funeral,” the final film in the franchise, dropped 55 percent with $12.1 million, falling to third.
Rounding out the rest of the top five: “The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part” held in fourth place with $3.8 million, and “Alita: Battle Angel” fell to fifth with $3.2 million.
“Gloria Bell,” starring Julianne Moore as a middle-aged L.A. divorcee, opened strongly in limited release with $154,775 in five theaters. “Apollo 11,” the acclaimed moon landing documentary, made $1.3 million from 285 locations, including IMAX screens.
Final numbers are out Monday.