ZAMM.COM

The boxoffice was buzzing again this weekend as an animated panda and a killer teddy bear sent moviegoers heading to the multiplexes.

Besides the openings of KUNG FU PANDA 4 and IMAGINARY, there also was excellent holdover business for DUNE: PART TWO’s second weekend. Their combined strength, per Comscore, helped bring the weekend’s overall marketplace to $138.1M, up 19.1% from the prior weekend and up 15% vs. this time last year. Comscore’s year to date tally has 2024 at $1.18B, down 10% from $1.31B in 2023.

Universal/DreamWorks Animation’s PG animated family film KUNG FU PANDA 4 opened #1 to an over-performing $58.3M at 4,035 theatres ($14,449). Mid-weekend expectations were for about $52.5M. It reportedly was produced on a modest (for animation) $85M budget.

Internationally, per Comscore Senior Media Analyst Paul Dergarabedian, PANDA 4 “opened in 41 markets including Spain, Indonesia, Malaysia, Poland, and Chile. The film is estimated to earn $22.226M at the international box office this weekend for a global weekend estimate of $80.526M.”

Going into this weekend, PANDA 4 was tracking through the roof with under-25 men (16 points over norm) and next best with women under 25 (11 points above norm). Although Rotten Tomatoes’ critics are a blah 70%, audiences are happier at 87%.

Second place went to WB/Legendary Entertainment’s weekend two of DUNE: PART TWO with $46M — down just 44.25% — at 4,074 theatres ($11,291). It’s done $157M domestic. D2 reportedly cost $190M or more to produce, with most of it coming from Legendary.

Internationally, per Comscore’s Dergarabedian, D2 “impressively crosses $200M in international box office and the global cume now surpasses $300M at $367.5M through Sunday!”

Lionsgate/Blumhouse Entertainment’s PG-13 horror thriller IMAGINARY kicked off #3 with $10M at 3,118 theatres ($3,207). Hollywood handicappers were talking about a $10-12M debut. It reportedly cost just $12M to produce.

Going into this weekend, IMAGINARY was tracking best with under-25 women (seven points over norm), but was below norm with all other demos. Rotten Tomatoes’ critics hate it 32%. No audience score is available.

Next weekend will likely take the smiles off exhibitors’ faces with only one big launch — Lionsgate’s PG-13 adventure ARTHUR THE KING at about 2,500 theatres. Media pundits are projecting a $10-12M opening.

Going into this weekend, ARTHUR was tracking below norm with all demos. No Rotten Tomatoes scores are available yet.