“Captain America: Brave New World” started strong at the box office but took a significant hit in its second weekend. The film, which opened with a solid $100 million over four days, fell to about $28.2 million in its second weekend according to studio estimates. This marks a 68% drop, a trend not uncommon for major releases but concerning when compared to previous Marvel titles like “The Marvels” and “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” which saw even steeper declines.
Critics have not been kind to this latest entry in the Marvel franchise, rating it poorly and giving it a “B-” CinemaScore from audiences. Many fans were hopeful that this film would refresh the Marvel brand, which has struggled to maintain its momentum since “Avengers: Endgame.” Nonetheless, “Brave New World” has still managed to pull in $289.4 million globally, showing that despite the drop, there is still a strong interest in superhero films. With few competing blockbuster releases in the coming weeks, it may have a chance to recover.
In independent film news, the biggest new release of the weekend was “The Monkey,” directed by Oz Perkins. This film, adapted from a Stephen King short story, debuted with $14.2 million, marking a strong start for the indie distributor Neon. Reviews for “The Monkey” have been positive, though audience reception was less enthusiastic, evidenced by a C+ CinemaScore.
Additionally, Neon continues to build on its success with critically acclaimed projects like “Anora,” which is gaining momentum leading up to the Academy Awards.
In a quieter corner of the box office, Lionsgate’s “The Unbreakable Boy,” a Christian-themed film, opened with just $2.5 million. It focuses on the challenges faced by parents of an autistic child with brittle bone disease.
Meanwhile, “Paddington in Peru” saw a decline in its second weekend, earning $6.5 million to bring its total to $25.2 million. It’s faring better internationally, especially in markets outside the U.S.
Among animated films, “Ne Zha 2” continues to break records in China, grossing over $1.7 billion and surpassing previous animated hits.
Here’s a rundown of the top ten domestic box office earnings:
1. “Captain America: Brave New World” – $28.2 million
2. “The Monkey” – $14.2 million
3. “Paddington in Peru” – $6.5 million
4. “Dog Man” – $5.9 million
5. “Ne Zha 2” – $3.1 million
6. “Heart Eyes” – $2.9 million
7. “Mufasa: The Lion King” – $2.5 million
8. “The Unbreakable Boy” – $2.5 million
9. “Chhaava” – $1.5 million
10. “One of Them Days” – $1.4 million
The box office landscape remains dynamic, reflecting audience preferences and the shifting tides of film quality and storytelling.
