The animated film, a joint effort by Universal studios, Nintendo and Illumination, raked in about $146.4 million over Easter weekend and $204.6 million in its first five days, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations said Sunday.
“It will easily be the number 1 movie of 2023,” he noted.
“The numbers are sensational,” agreed analyst David A. Gross, noting the quality of the film, which appeals to both families and viewers young and old, and both men and women.
Based on one of the most popular video games of all time, this film “is a marketer’s dream,” Gross added.
In second place, with a tenth of the ticket sales of “Super Mario”, was the fourth installment of the “John Wick” saga, with 14.6 million dollars.
The thriller has been praised for its choreographed action, much of it the work of director and former stuntman Chad Stahelski. Keanu Reeves returns to play a contract killer who now faces an international criminal group.
Third place went to last weekend’s leader, “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” from Paramount and eOne, with $14.5 million. Based on the popular role-playing game, it stars Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, and Hugh Grant.
Amazon Studios’ new release “Air,” about the origins of Nike’s Air Jordan line of basketball shoes, ranked fourth with $14.46 million, which Gross called “an excellent opening for a drama.” sports”.
He attributed that success to the film’s “elite cast” (Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, Marlon Wayans, Chris Messina, Chris Tucker and Viola Davis), as well as the “outstanding” reviews it received and worldwide awareness. of the Nike brand.
In fifth place was the horror film “Scream VI,” from Paramount and Spyglass Media, with $3.3 million.
The other five highest grossing this long weekend were:
“His Only Son” ($3.3 million)
“Creed III” (2.8 million)
“Shazam! The Fury of the Gods” (1.6 million)
“Paint” (750 thousand)
“A Thousand and One” (600 thousand)