Ocean’s 8, Warner Bros’ highly anticipated, female-led reboot of the successful Ocean’s heist franchise, debuted in first place over the weekend with $41.5 million (Dh152.4 million), above analysts’ predictions of $35 million, according to figures from measurement firm ComScore. It was the best-ever opening for any of the films in the franchise, handily beating the previous leader, 2004’s Ocean’s Twelve, which posted $39.1 million in its opening weekend before going on to gross $125.5 million in the US and Canada.
“We’re proud of the movie,” said Jeff Goldstein, the studio’s distribution chief. “These actors did a tremendous job telling a fun story, going after a very specific demographic, females, an audience that is often underserved.”
The latest entry cost an estimated $70 million and stars Sandra Bullock as the sister of Danny Ocean. She assembles a skilled crime crew (Sarah Paulson, Cate Blanchett, Mindy Kaling, Helena Bonham Carter, Awkwafina and Rihanna) to pull off a high-stakes theft at New York’s annual Met Gala involving an actress played by Anne Hathaway.
It earned a B-plus on CinemaScore and a 67 per cent “fresh” rating on review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes. The film releases in the UAE on June 21.
In second place, Disney’s Solo: A Star Wars Story, now in its third week, added $15.1 million in ticket sales.
Fox’s Deadpool 2 came in at No 3, adding $13.6 million in its fourth weekend.
A24’s psychological horror Hereditary debuted in fourth place with $13 million (well above analysts’ predictions of $5 million to $9 million), the biggest debut ever for the studio as well as its widest release to date.
Rounding out the top five, Disney’s Avengers: Infinity War, now in its seventh weekend, added $6.8 million.
Global Road Entertainment’s Hotel Artemis debuted at No 8 with $3.1 million, below predictions of $5 million to $9 million.
The action-thriller stars Jodie Foster as a nurse who runs a secret hospital for criminals. The film bombed both financially and critically, with a C-minus on CinemaScore and a 58 per cent “rotten” score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Focus Features’ Mister Rogers doc Won’t You Be My Neighbor? opened in 29 locations with $470,000. The PG-13 film currently boasts a 99 per cent “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Magnolia Pictures’ Ruth Bader Ginsburg doc, RBG, continues to perform well, adding $700,000 in its sixth weekend.
