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A few years ago, a $15M opening wouldn’t make much of a splash, but it’s a hit today in Hollywood’s “new normal.”

CHALLENGERS, Zendaya’s romantic drama from MGM/Amazon, kicked off to $15.01M and will have enhanced value to lure subscribers down the road on Prime Video.

Zendaya fans also showed up to see her again this weekend in WB/Legendary’s DUNE 2. D2 was #9 in weekend nine, per Comscore, with $1.99M. That makes Zendaya’s combined gross this weekend $17M — about 26.4% of all ticket sales.

The overall marketplace, per Comscore, totaled $64.48M, down 4.4% from the prior weekend and down 36% vs. this time last year. Comscore’s year to date tally has 2024 at $2.006B, down 21% from $2.586B in 2023.

Meanwhile, back at the multiplexes: MGM/Amazon Studios’ CHALLENGERS, directed by Luca Guadagnino (CALL ME BY YOUR NAME) and also starring Josh O’Connor & Mike Faist, was #1 with $15.01M at 3,477 theatres ($4,317). It reportedly cost $55M to produce.

Hollywood handicappers were buzzing about a $13.5-15M weekend. CHALLENGERS clearly benefited from MGM’s smart move to move it to this spring from last 9/15 when SAG & WGA strikes kept actors from promoting their films.

Looking at CHALLENGERS overseas, per Comscore Senior Media Analyst Paul Dergarabedian: “Warner Bros. reports the international running cume now stands at $10.0M and including the domestic debut this weekend, the global running cume is currently $25.0M.”

Going into this weekend, CHALLENGERS was tracking great for first choice with women under 25 (six points over norm), but was below norm with all other demos. It’s a hit with Rotten Tomatoes critics at 87%, but audiences are just 76%.

Lionsgate’s PG faith based family drama “UNSUNG HERO” opened second to $7.8M at 2,832 theatres ($2,737). It reportedly cost just $6M to produce. HERO was tracking below norm for first choice with all demos. RT critics hate it at 60%, but audiences are cheering at 100%.

Roadside Attractions’ R rated action thriller “BOY KILLS WORLD” opened #10 to $1.7M at 1,993 theatres ($841). It was tracking below norm for first choice with all demos. BOY’s only 60% with RT critics and audiences are a blah 70%.

As for next weekend’s wide releases: Universal/87 North’s PG-13 action dramedy THE FALL GUY, directed by David Leitch (JOHN WICK) and starring Ryan Gosling & Emily Blunt, is opening at about 3,700 theatres. Some analysts are projecting $50-60M.

It’s tracking best and equally well for first place with men & women over 25 (each three points over norm). Men & women under 25 don’t care. RT critics are applauding at 89%.

Sony/Screen Gems’ PG-13 horror thriller “TAROT” will appear at about 3,000 theatres. It’s tracking below norm with all demos. Some crystal ball owners see a $10-12M opening.