It was a big weekend for the box office, with two major studio releases arriving in theaters and scoring very impressive debuts both domestically and overseas. Even with some heavy hitters entering the fray, Sinners has managed to stay in the top 5.
Warner Bros. and director Ryan Coogler's acclaimed vampire drama has proven to be a box office juggernaut, taking in another $9.1 million over the weekend to bring its global total to $339 million.
The No. 1 spot was claimed by Disney's latest live-action remake, Lilo and Stitch, which ended up breaking the record for biggest Memorial Day opening weekend ever with a massive $145.5 million. The movie, which received so-so reviews (68% on Rotten Tomatoes), now sits at $341.7 million worldwide, and looks set to be one of the Mouse House's biggest hits in quite some time.
Paramount’s Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, meanwhile, earned a franchise-best $63 million from US theaters, adding another $127 million overseas for a worldwide total of $190 million. A strong start, but this last(?) MI movie is going to need to continue packing those seats for weeks to come if it hopes to justify its staggering $400 million production budget.
Warner Bros. and New Line's Final Destination: Bloodlines claimed third place with $19 million. The horror revival now sits at $94.6 million in North America, and $187 million worldwide after just two weekends in theaters.
As for Thunderbolts*, Marvel Studios' latest slipped to fourth place with $9.5 million, and has now grossed $171 million domestically and $353 million globally after four weeks of release. Despite the "New Avengers" rebranding giving ticket sales a (momentary) boost, the antihero team-up adventure will be lucky to climb out of the red at this stage.
Did you go to see any of the above this weekend? Let us know in the comments section down below.
Coogler recently shared an emotional letter thanks audiences for showing up to theaters for Sinners.
“Eternal Gratitude. My heart is bursting with it. I want to thank each and every one of you who bought a ticket to see SINNERS. Who decided to drive to see the film in different formats. Who bought popcorn and a drink, booked a sitter and carpooled, and stood in the lobby afterwards and talked and made a friend. Who changed their work schedules. Who saw the film in groups. I want to thank you all who watched more than once, who recommended the film to others, both in person and on social media or on your text message chains. I had the gift of the opportunity of making a film inspired by my family and my ancestry but it was always a film that we wanted to make for audiences, in theaters. We always had our minds on you, the audience, and felt a deep responsibility to entertain you, and move you in the way only cinema can.
I believe in cinema. I believe in the theatrical experience. I believe it is a necessary pillar of society. It's why me and so many of my colleagues have dedicated our lives to the craft. We don't get to do what we do if you don't show up. The global theatrical audience has allowed me to dream, find a career and build a more sustainable life for me and my family. And the only way that I know how to thank you for that, is by continuing to mine my personal human experience and my relationships for more stories to bring to you in cinematic language. To see your response to the film has reinvigorated me and many others who believe in this art form.”
Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers (Jordan) return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.
“You keep dancing with the devil, one day he’s gonna follow you home.”
Written and directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Coogler, Sinners stars Jordan (the Black Panther and Creed franchises) in a dual role, joined by Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld (Bumblebee, True Grit), Jack O’Connell (Ferrari), Wunmi Mosaku (Passenger), Jayme Lawson (The Woman King), Omar Miller (True Lies), Miles Caton, and Delroy Lindo (Da 5 Bloods).
The film is produced by Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian and Ryan Coogler. The executive producers are Ludwig Göransson, Will Greenfield and Rebecca Cho.
Sinners is now in theaters.