The Batman soars past $750M at the global box office… as Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore stumbles with a franchise-low opening
The global hit The Batman scored its latest milestone over the weekend when it passed the $750 million mark at the global box office.
The dark superhero sensation is currently the highest-grossing film of 2022 so far, both in the US and internationally, according to Deadline.
But as that Warner Bros.–distributed film continues to fly high, its new release Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore earned the lowest opening weekend grosses of the series.
Flying high: The global hit The Batman scored its latest milestone over the weekend when it passed the $750 million mark at the global box office, according to Deadline
So far, The Batman has earned $751.1 million worldwide, though its earnings may drop off, as it’s set to premiere on HBO Max on Monday.
Cable users will also have a chance to view it at home when it premieres on HBO at Saturday, April 23 at 8 p.m. ET.
Following The Batman’s success worldwide, Warner Bros.’ President of Domestic Distribution Jeff Goldstein weighed in.
‘The incredible response we’ve seen at theaters across the country is a testament to both the enduring power of this iconic DC Super Hero and the huge appetite out there to experience great movies on the big screen,’ he said. ‘We congratulate everyone involved on reaching this impressive milestone.’
Danger approaching: So far, The Batman has earned $751.1 million worldwide, though its earnings may drop off, as it’s set to premiere on HBO Max on Monday
Strong performance: The Batman also earned the distinction of being WB’s best international debut since the Batman spin-off Joker
Warners’ President of International Distribution, Andrew Cripps, added: ‘The Batman performs on every level, delivering critical praise and big crowds in every market around the globe. We’re so proud of the film and so happy it continues to strike a chord with audiences everywhere.’
The Batman also earned the distinction of being WB’s best international debut since the Batman spin-off Joker, and the film’s dark tone and distinctive visuals have made it a hit with critics, unlike a recent spate of DC superhero films.
The performance of WB’s Fantastic Beasts sequel The Secrets Of Dumbledore was more concerning for the studio.
The third entry in the series has received mixed-to-poor reviews from critics and currently boasts a disappointing 48 percent rotten score from reviewers surveyed by Rotten Tomatoes.
Although it was the the top film domestically with $43 million, and its overseas haul brings the cumulative total to $150 million, that’s still the lowest debut for the series.
Not great: Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore debuted with $43 million and $150 million worldwide, making it the lowest-debuting entry in the series so far
Not great: The film has also received mixed-to-poor reviews, and J.K. Rowlings recent comments, which many have deemed transphobic, may not help it
Not helping possible audience fatigue and the poor reviews are co-writer J.K. Rowling’s recent controversial statements, which many have deemed transphobic.
According to Deadline, The Secrets Of Dumbledore’s opening is 38 percent lower than the previous entry, The Crimes Of Grindlewald, and 42 percent behind the original film.
Warner Bros. decision not to release the film in Russia due to its ongoing invasion of Ukraine may have also contributed to the disappointing opening, and many theaters in China are currently closed due to surges of Covid-19.
It was previously reported that the studio is waiting to green-light the expected fourth and fifth entries in the series and will be closely watching the performance of The Secrets Of Dumbledore.
If it drops precipitously in its second week at the box office, that may spell doom for the proposed future films in Rowling’s series.
Zooming: Coming in at second at the box office was Sonic the Hedgehog 2, which earned $30 million domestically for a total of $119 million, according to Box Office Mojo
Still kicking: In third was the comedy The Lost City, starring Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum and Brad Pitt, which added $6.5 million to its total of $78.5 million
Coming in at second at the box office was Sonic the Hedgehog 2, which earned $30 million domestically for a total of $119 million, according to Box Office Mojo.
In third was the comedy The Lost City, starring Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum and Brad Pitt, which added $6.5 million to its total of $78.5 million.
The meta action comedy Everything Everywhere All At Once has received stellar reviews and moved up from sixth place to fourth after going wide.
It earned another $6 million to bring its domestic total to $18 million, and it managed to move past superhero films like Morbius, a rarity for an independent film.
The movie has also scored the highest per theater grosses of the year.
Success story: The meta action comedy Everything Everywhere All At Once has received stellar reviews and moved up from sixth place to fourth after going wide. It earned another $6 million to bring its domestic total to $18 million
Loss of traction: The disappointing supervillain film Morbius earned another $4.7 million, bringing its domestic take to a disappointing $65 million
Just behind it was the Mark Wahlberg vehicle Father Stu, which brought in $5.7 million at the weekend box office.
The disappointing supervillain film Morbius earned another $4.7 million, bringing its domestic take to a disappointing $65 million.
The Michael Bay action film Ambulance dropped from fourth place to seventh and earned $4 million, for an even worse $15.6 million haul.
The Batman continued to do respectable business in its seventh week with another $3.8 million.
Coming in at ninth place at the domestic box office was the Indian film K.G.F: Chapter 2, which earned a respectable $2.8 million for its debut.
Rounding out the top 10 was the Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg–starring action film Uncharted, which earned $1.1 million for a total domestic haul of nearly $145 million.
Falling: The Michael Bay action film Ambulance dropped from fourth place to seventh and earned $4 million, for an even worse $15.6 million haul
Still holding on: Rounding out the top 10 was the Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg–starring action film Uncharted, which earned $1.1 million for a total domestic haul of nearly $145 million
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