The Weekend Report

Wonder Woman wowed with an estimated debut of $100.7 million to lead session moviegoing. It was also good news for the frame’s other national newcomer, animated Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie that bowed with $23.5 million to rank second overall.

In limited wide release, historic drama Churchill opened to a tepid $419,000. In international day-and-date releases, Mexico’s 3 Idiotas, a remake of one of India’s most popular films, also opened soft with $580,000, after a local $7 million tally South. Imports from India were moribund and Chinese newcomers only slightly better with Taiwan co-pro Didi’s Dream grossing $83,600 from 29 screens. The exclusive freshmen also had a faint pulse with only IFC’s musical romcom Band Aid providing modest encouragement with $29,900 from three rooms.

Revenues for the three days topped $180 million and expanded 29% from the comparable period of last weekend. It was 35% improved from 2016 when the re-boot of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles led with $35.3 million and the other national newcomer, Me Before You, slotted third with $18.7 million.

Following a brief turn in Batman v Superman, Wonder Woman received her solo spotlight in what was anticipated to be a summer sensation but few anticipated that it would be the biggest opening of the year. The Amazonian juggernaut had a top end projection of $85 million from trackers. And few expected a critical embrace and overwhelming positive response on social media. It’s also worth noting that the picture is only the ninth to open with a nine-figure gross.

Studio exit demos identified the audience as 52% female which bodes well. A significant 72%  of viewers were 25 or older with 39% in the 18-34 range. Roughly 29% of its box office came from stereoscopic engagements.

Wonder Woman also launched in 55 foreign climes to an estimated $122 million including a potent $38 million in China. Other top-grossing markets included South Korea, Mexico and Brazil with $8 million plus debuts and the UK right behind with $7.5 million. France, Germany and Spain open later in June, with Japan set for an August release.

Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie is also the last in DreamWorks Animation’s partnership with Fox. Tracking was comparatively modest with the picture performing on the low end of projections that topped out in the mid-$20 million arena. Its crowd was 54% male with 65% of viewers aged 25 and younger. Also 81% of the audience identified as families.

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