Topline
The Super Mario Bros. Movie was the No. 1 film in the country for the fourth weekend in a row, studio Universal Pictures said, as the animated flick was expected to cross $1 billion in worldwide box office sales on Sunday.
Mario and Luigi in “The Super Mario Bros. Movie”.
Key Facts
Mario will gross $1 billion just 26 days after being released, becoming the 10th animated movie in history to do so.
It’s now the seventh-biggest film ever released by Universal.
From Friday to Sunday, Mario grossed over $40 million at the domestic box office, down from $58.23 million last weekend.
Tangent
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret—an adaptation of a Judy Blume classic—had a $6.4 million domestic opening, falling slightly below expectations. Evil Dead Rise earned the No. 2 spot at the domestic box office, grossing $12.2 million between Friday and Sunday.
Key Background
The Super Mario Bros. Movie stars Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Anya Taylor Joy, Keegan Michael Key, Jack Black and Seth Rogan. The film had a $146 million domestic opening. It’s the highest-grossing film released this year so far, and the best performing video game adaption. Last weekend, it had the best third-weekend domestic gross for an animated feature ever, beating out Incredibles 2. It’s also the highest-grossing animated movie ever released by Universal. Despite a 56% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 96% score from audiences.
What To Watch For
Pratt’s box office success could double next week. Marvel’s Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3, helmed by Pratt, opens in theaters on Friday. The Priyanka Chopra Jonas-led romantic comedy Love Again premieres on the big screen the same day.
Big Number
14. That’s how many days it took Avatar: The Way Of Water, to gross $1 billion worldwide.
Further Reading
Weekend Box Office: ‘Super Mario Bros. Movie’ Earns No. 1 Spot For Third Weekend In A Row (Forbes)
Weekend Box Office: ‘Super Mario Bros. Movie’ Wins Big With $146 Million Premiere Weekend (Forbes)
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Marisa Dellatto