Latest 'Jurassic World' looks to take bite out of box office
Tom Cruise has had a monumental flight since Memorial Day - but this weekend, it's time for dinosaurs to again rule the earth.
Jurassic World Dominion (NASDAQ:CMCSA) opens in 4,676 theaters - third-widest opening of all time - taking some space from the record wide release for current hit Top Gun: Maverick (NASDAQ:PARA) (PARAA), and certainly grabbing the premium screens (the new Jurassic World bows on 1,322 IMAX screens this weekend).
The film is signaling it will land at the higher end of estimates, after $18 million in domestic Thursday previews, similar to the preview number from the franchise's biggest hit, Jurassic World. Meanwhile, the film opened in 15 international markets last weekend, meaning it's drawn just over $95 million worldwide already (and counting Friday's debut in China, it hits $110.4 million).
It adds not only North America, but also another 57 international markets this weekend.
That means triple digits domestically are a sure thing, but the first Jurassic World's $209 million opening is also surely out of reach. Consensus seems to be settling in the $125 million-$135 million range, with the $148 million opening of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom within reach on the high end.
The dinosaurs are set to pull those numbers despite some poor critical reception, including some reviews calling the new film the worst of the six Jurassic outings. The movie wraps up the second trilogy in a six-film dinosaur franchise based on a Michael Crichton novel.
Meanwhile, Top Gun: Maverick (PARA) (PARAA) had a record-low drop-off in its second weekend, suggesting it can keep holding its own even in the No. 2 spot this weekend. It's likely tracking toward another $50 million-$60 million, and it's already piled up $334.2 million domestically for Paramount, with a worldwide total of $599.4 million.
Looking for scraps from other moviegoers this weekend are Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (DIS) and The Bob's Burgers Movie (DIS).
And not one but two blockbusters dominating screens this weekend means another opportunity for exhibitors to count the money: AMC Entertainment (AMC); Cineworld (OTCPK:CNNWF); Cinemark (CNK); (IMAX); Marcus (MCS); Reading International (RDI); Cineplex (OTCPK:CPXGF); National CineMedia (NCMI).