Black Panther blows away box office with debut
A wave of feverish anticipation, fawning critical acclaim and groundbreaking cultural meaning pushed Black Panther to a record-setting $192 million (U.S.) debut in U.S. and Canadian theatres, firmly establishing the superhero sensation as a boxoffice 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.
Though the film’s international footprint doesn’t include several of the largest markets — China, Russia and Japan — it still 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 centred on a Black superhero. The strong opening suggests Black Panther will easily set a box-office record for films directed by a Black filmmaker. 1. Black Panther, $192 million 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, $7.7 million. 6. The Greatest Showman, $5.1 million. 7. Early Man, $3.2 million. 8. Maze Runner: The Death Cure, $2.5 million. 9. Winchester, $2.2 million. 10. Samson, $2 million.