It’s a weekend film trifecta for Universal
Although the box office has yet to fully recover from the pandemic, at least one studio has good reason to celebrate this Fourth of July weekend. Universal Pictures currently has the top three films at the domestic box office with “F9,” “The Boss Baby: Family Business” and “The Forever Purge,” according to studio estimates Sunday.
It’s the first time that’s happened for Universal since 1989, when the studio had “Sea of Love,” “Parenthood” and “Uncle Buck” topping the charts, and the first time for any studio since 2005.
As expected, the “Fast & Furious” sequel “F9” maintained the top spot in its second weekend in North American theaters. The film added an estimated $24 million over the weekend and is projected to take in $32.7 million by the end of today, bringing its domestic total to $125.8 million. Worldwide, “F9” will likely surpass the $500 million mark today.
In second place, the animated “Boss Baby” sequel surpassed expectations opening with $17.3 million for the weekend and $23.1 million including today. “The Boss Baby: Family Business” features Alex Baldwin voicing the worldly toddler. And in third place, the latest Blumhouse venture, “The Forever Purge,” is expected to gross $12.8 million in ticket sales through Sunday and $15.9 million over the four-day weekend.
While it’s a bit unconventional for a major studio to open two big films on the same weekend, Universal’s head of domestic distribution Jim Orr said they simply saw an opportunity and have historically had great successes on the Fourth of July weekend.
“This weekend is just a great glimpse of what we do constantly. which is provide theatrical audiences with a diverse slate of quality films,” Orr said. “The results speak for themselves.”
Prince Charles reveals his favorite dance tunes
Prince Charles has revealed some of his favorite songs — including one song that would give him “an irresistible urge to get up and dance.”
The Three Degrees, Diana Ross and Edith Piaf all made the cut as part of the prince’s list, which he shared as part of an hour-long show on hospital radio to thank healthcare staff and volunteers for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the PA news agency.
Charles discussed some of his favorite songs from throughout his life, including “Givin’ Up, Givin’ In,” which The Three Degrees performed at his 30th birthday, and which “long ago, used to provide me with an irresistible urge to get up and dance.”
The list also includes “Don’t Rain On My Parade” by Barbra Streisand, “La Vie En Rose” by Edith Piaf, “Upside Down” by Diana Ross.