‘Megalopolis’ flops, ‘The Wild Robot’ rises at box office

This image released by Universal Pictures shows Roz (left), voiced by Lupita N’yongo, and Brightbill, voiced by Kit Connor, in a scene from DreamWorks Animation’s “Wild Robot.” (Universal Pictures via DreamWorks Animation/AP)

NEW YORK – Francis Ford Coppola’s decades-long, self-funded saga “Megalopolis” The acclaimed DreamWorks Animation family movie won the admiration of moviegoers “Wild Robot” It rose to No. 1 at the box office over the weekend.

“Wild Robot” The film, Chris Sanders’ adaptation of Peter Brown’s best-selling novel, exceeded launch expectations with $35 million in ticket sales in theaters in the U.S. and Canada, the studio estimated Sunday. “Wild Robot” It was poised to be a success after critics raved about its story in which a shipwrecked robot raises an orphaned gosling. Audiences agreed and gave the film an A CinemaScore. “Wild Robot” It’s likely a long and lucrative process is in store for Universal Pictures’ release.

Comscore senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian predicts: “Wild Robot” “We can take a page from the ‘Elemental’ playbook by opening to a respectable box office and then looking at long-term playability.” Pixar’s “Elemental” Which one did you like? “Wild Robot” It debuted modestly at $30 million but went on to gross nearly $500 million worldwide.

Family movies led by the year’s biggest hits “Inside Out 2” This year, it especially strengthened the box office. Film consultant David A. Gross, who issued a newsletter for Franchise Entertainment, said the genre should reach $6 billion worldwide by 2024. “It is back to pre-pandemic levels.”

“Megalopolis,” Coppola’s vision of a Roman epic set in modern-day New York was never expected to perform anywhere near this level. But the film’s $4 million debut was still sobering for a film that Coppola had financed for $120 million. Following its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, critics were mixed on Coppola’s first film in 13 years. Viewers gave it a D+ CinemaScore.

By any financial measure, “Megalopolis” It was a huge flop. But from the beginning, 85-year-old Coppola’s money wasn’t her concern. Coppola shaped the film, which he first began developing in the late 1970s, as a grand personal statement about human possibilities.

“Everyone is very worried about money” Coppola said in an interview with the Associated Press ahead of the film’s release. “I say: Give me less money and more friends.”

Studios transferred “Megalopolis” After Cannes. Lionsgate ultimately came forward to distribute it for a fee. Coppola also shouldered most of the $15 million marketing costs. The film, starring Adam Driver, Nathalie Emmanuel and Aubrey Plaza, was also released in approximately 200 IMAX locations and accounted for $1.8 million in ticket sales.

After Tim Burton’s three weeks at the top of the box office “Bug juice” In its fourth weekend of release, it fell to second place with $16 million. Warner Bros.’ 1988 sequel “Bug juice” The film, starring Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder, grossed $250 million domestically in its first month of release.

Third place gone “Transformers One” A prequel to Transformers starring Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry. After a lower-than-expected debut last weekend, the Paramount release collected $9.3 million in its second weekend.

“Megalopolis” Even the Hindi Telugu action movie has been left behind “Devara: Part 1.” It grossed $5.1 million in its opening weekend, good enough for fourth place.

Also making his theatrical debut was Jason Reitman. “Saturday Night” is an affectionate dramatization of the sketch-comedy institution’s first broadcast in 1975. The same weekend the NBC series began its 50th season, Reitman’s film opened in five New York and Los Angeles theaters and collected $265,000; This translates to a strong $53,000. average per theater. “Saturday Night” It will spread across the country within two weeks.

Estimated ticket sales at U.S. and Canadian theaters from Friday through Sunday, according to Comscore. Final domestic figures will be announced today.

1. “Wild Robot” 35 million dollars.

2. “Bug juice” 16 million dollars.

3. “Transformers One” $9.3 million.

4. “Devara: Part 1” $5.1 million.

5. “Bad Talk” $4.3 million.

6. “Megalopolis,” 4 million dollars.

7. “Deadpool and Wolverine” $2.7 million.

8. “My Old Ass” $2.2 million.

9. “Never Let Go” $2.2 million.

10. “Article” $1.8 million.