Hollywood (United States) (AFP) – The A-list witches of Warner Bros.’ “Practical Magic 2” cast away Sony’s “Spider-Man” from its weeks-long perch atop the North American box office, industry estimates showed Sunday. Nearly three decades after the beloved original, Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman return to star in “Practical Magic 2,” whose estimated $30 million debut ended Spidey’s six-week run in first place.
The film resurrects the story of sisters Sally and Gillian Owens, modern day witches who face a curse that sees any man they fall in love with doomed to an early death. The witch sisters summoned another $16 million outside of North America, for a total global estimate of $46 million. The original 1998 film hardly enchanted critics upon its debut, but went on to conjure a cult following that had kept hopes of a sequel alive ever since.
“Critics’ reviews are weak like they were the first time, but the audience score is very good,” said industry watcher David A. Gross. “The cast is what drives these movies’ success, and Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock, Maisie Williams and Joey King are strong.”
But it wasn’t all bad news for Sony’s “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” After swinging from victory to victory, the Tom Holland and Zendaya-led blockbuster caught second place this weekend, bringing in another $8.4 million, for a global total of $2.45 billion over its seven weeks in cinemas. Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” sailed into a close third place, drawing another $7.4 million domestically, for an epic $1.64 billion over its nine-week global box office journey.
“Runner,” an action comedy led by Alan Ritchson and Owen Wilson, debuted in fourth place, with the heroes fighting a cartel to get a sick young girl a lifesaving organ transplant. It brought in $6.4 million domestically for Angel Studios. “Coyote vs Acme” took fifth place, with Will Forte and an animated Wile E. Coyote snaring another $5.6 million for Falling Forward Films.
Rounding out the top 10 were:
– “Buddy” ($3.5 million)
– “Insidious: Out of the Further” ($3.4 million)
– “Hope” ($3.3 million)
– “The Uprising” ($3.3 million)
– “By Any Means” ($2.5 million)
© 2024 AFP
