Carl Roberts 
Zachary Levi’s Shazam continues to dominate the worldwide box office while Hellboy Fails To Ignite
In a slightly surprising way, ‘Shazam’ managed to work his magic again and stay atop the US Box Office with an estimated $25.1million weekend haul. The film did drop by 53% from its opening weekend but still held off all challengers. Zachary Levi and company made an improvement on previous drop-offs for DC films in their second weekends like Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice‘s 69% drop or Justice League‘s 56% drop but couldn’t match the holds held by Wonder Woman (43% drop) or Aquaman (23% drop). That said, however, the film has now taken $94.9 million domestically and $221.2million worldwide on a budget of $100million so it is holding its own around the world.
Second place this week went to newcomer ‘Little’ which earned itself $15.4million. The Regina Hall starring PG-13 rated comedy cost an estimated $20million to produce. The fantasy film, in the vein of classic Tom Hanks starring ‘BIG’ divided the critics, gaining a 49% average on Rotten Tomatoes. The film did manage to appeal to the audience though.
The much-mooted reboot of ‘Hellboy‘ didn’t ignite the box office. The film, which has gained generally really poor reviews, only managing a 15% average on Rotten Tomatoes fizzled instead of exploding, gaining a considerably poor $12million opening weekend against a $50million budget. Critics and comic book fans have derided the film, stating that even though they like ‘Stranger Things’ star David Harbour’s incarnation in the title role, the films script and lack of genuine humour, thrills and excitement let him down. Adding to that, the filmmakers unwisely decided to change the look of the character slightly, taking him away from the classic look he is known for. Lionsgate had high hopes for the film but, in hindsight, we should have gathered the film wasn’t going to be the R Rated version of the character we were hoping for ever since the studio kept pushing the release date back.
Stephen King horror remake ‘Pet Sematary‘ fell to fourth place, gaining an extra $10million but dropping off by 59% on its second weekend. The Jason Clarke/ John Lithgow starring film has annoyed the legions of King fans with it’s changing of certain elements from the novel including a new ending. The R Rated chiller has scared up a ten-day domestic total of $41.1million and $76.8million worldwide against an estimated cost of $21million however, proving that there is still a market for well made, well-written horror films around the globe.
After the third weekend of release, Disney’s live-action remake of ‘Dumbo‘ has drifted down to the fifth position. The $170million Tim Burton-directed film now sits on $89.9million domestic and $266.9million worldwide after its $9.1million weekend.
Marvel’s first foray of the year, ‘Captain Marvel‘ came home in the sixth position. The Brie Larson starring comic book movie made another $8.6million bringing its domestic total to $386.5million as it chases down the $389million domestic finish of ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol.2‘. The $170million budgeted film now has a global take of $1.06billion, surpassing expectations and ensuring we will see another standalone film featuring the character.
‘Us’ moved down into the seventh position with $6.9million taken this weekend. The Jordan Peele horror flick has frightened up a staggering $163.4million domestically and $236million worldwide during the five weeks since its release. Not at all shabby for a film estimated to have cost no more than $20million to produce.
Eighth place was occupied by new release ‘After‘ with a $6.2million opening. Critics have savaged the $14million budgeted PG-13 tale of young love, only gaining the film a 13% average on Rotten Tomatoes. Josephine Langford and Hero Fiennes Tiffin (The nephew of Ralph and Joseph Fiennes) star in this adaptation of Anna Todd’s best selling novel.
Opening in ninth place, we find PG-rated animated fare ‘Missing Link‘. Featuring the vocal talents of among others Hugh Jackman, Zoe Saldana and Zach Galifianakis as the title character, the film came out at the bottom of studio Laika, known for ‘Kubo And The Two Strings‘ back in 2016 output, gaining a $5.8million opening weekend, way behind the $12.6million opening of ‘Kubo‘. The Stop Motion animated picture was a smash with the critics, however, gaining an 89% average on Rotten Tomatoes.
Closing out the top ten this week is racism drama ‘The Best Of Enemies‘. The Sam Rockwell and Taraji P. Henson starring fact-based film earned itself another $2million, bringing its running total to $8.1million on a $10million budget.
Deciding to depart from the top ten this week were the teenage drama ‘Five Feet Apart‘, the animated pairing of ‘Wonder Park‘ and ‘ How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World‘ and the controversial anti-abortion drama ‘Unplanned‘.
Next weekend sees the release of the horror movie ‘The Curse Of La Llorona‘ which is produced by James Wan, returning again to the horror genre, the just in time for Easter faith-based drama ‘Breakthrough‘ and the latest Disney nature documentary ‘Penguins‘ about, well, Penguins! Both ‘Penguins‘ and ‘Breakthrough‘ are released on Wednesday and ‘The Curse Of La Llorona‘ on Good Friday.
Will one of these new releases manage to topple ‘Shazam‘ from his throne? Or will he magic up a third consecutive weekend atop the Box Office while he and the world await ‘Avengers: Endgame‘ the following weekend, knowing that the unstoppable Juggernaut is fast approaching?
Check back next week to find out and, of course, keep checking in right here at The Future Of The Force. We are delighted to have your company with us.
Until then, may myself and the team wish you and your families a very happy Easter! And happy movie going.
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Source: JoBlo.com
Future of the Force News Editor,Liverpool F.C fan,Halloween Movie Fan, Friday The 13th movies fan, Star Wars Fan, Star Trek Fan.
