The five-day projections for Illumination and Universal Pictures’ Nintendo video game adaptation “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” continue to be revised upwards – massively so today.
The film grossed an estimated $59 million at the Friday box office domestically, joining its huge $31.7 million opening day on Wednesday and very robust $26 million on Thursday.
As a result, the $125 million five-day estimates going into this week, estimates revised to $150 million yesterday, have now been revised again and indicate the film is headed for an astonishing $195 million five-day debut – far exceeding expectations. Box-Office Pro is even suggesting as high as $200-220 million.
It would mark a near-record Easter holiday opening, a record for Illumination, and arguably the first real blockbuster performer of 2023 (sorry Ant-Man).
Critics may have been mixed on the film, but audiences are very much enjoying it – rewarding it with an A CinemaScore. In addition, not only is the PG-rated film driving interest amongst kids, it is also pulling in adults who grew up playing the games.
Easter’s other major new offering is the Ben Affleck-directed biographical drama “Air” about the early days of Nike trying to sign a young Michael Jordan. That film is anticipating a five-day debut of $18.7 million, putting it on the low end of expectations – despite very good reviews from critics and an A CinemaScore.
Source: THR
