“Lilo & Stitch” continues its reign at the box office, claiming the top spot for the third consecutive weekend with $32.5 million from 4,185 theaters.
The live-action reboot has grossed $335.8 million domestically and $772 million worldwide, on track to become the first billion-dollar release of the year.
‘Ballerina’ Opens to $25 Million
The John Wick spinoff “Ballerina,” starring Ana de Armas, fell short of expectations, debuting in second place with $25 million from 3,409 North American theaters. Lionsgate had projected a $30 million opening for the film, which cost $90 million to produce.
Spinoff Faces Uphill Battle
Despite positive audience feedback (an “A-” on CinemaScore) and decent reviews (75% on Rotten Tomatoes), “Ballerina” failed to energize the John Wick fanbase. “This is a weak opening for an action thriller spin-off,” says analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research.
Franchise Expansion Planned
The studio hopes “Ballerina” will pave the way for more spinoffs, but without Keanu Reeves as the main draw, it may be a challenge. Lionsgate has plans for “John Wick 5,” a spinoff around Donnie Yen’s character Caine, and an animated prequel.
Other Box Office Performances
“Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” fell to third with $15 million, bringing its domestic total to $149 million. With a $400 million budget, the film might struggle to break even.
“Karate Kid: Legends” earned $8.7 million in its second weekend, dropping 58% from its debut. “Final Destination: Bloodlines” collected $6.4 million, the sixth film in the horror franchise, now its highest-grossing with $123 million domestically.
Wes Anderson’s ‘The Phoenician Scheme’ Expands
Wes Anderson’s “The Phoenician Scheme” expanded to 1,678 venues, grossing $6.2 million. Despite a star-studded cast, the film received a “B-” CinemaScore.
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