Sony’sMen in Black: Internationallooks to take the top spot at the Friday box office in its debut, but that’s probably the best news the franchise installment is going to see. It’s on track for a projected $26+ million total this weekend. That’s less than a quarter of the reported $110 million production budget for the sci-fi action comedy that reunitesThor: RagnarokstarsChris HemsworthandTessa Thompson. Critically crushed and suffering from a distinct lack of buzz, it’s looking like a misfire for theMiBteam. We’ll see if there’s any hope for it at the international box office when those numbers come in.
Another new debut from a fan-favorite franchise this weekend is in even worse shape. Warner Bros.‘Shaft(2019), which follows up onShaft(2000) and, of course,Shaft(1971), aimed to bring the third generation of title badasses to a new generation of moviegoers. The issue is that 2019 audiences have a lot more screens and content vying for their attention.Shaftbrought in an estimated $2.7 million on Friday, just edging outDark Phoenixfor the fourth spot. An estimated weekend tally between $7-8 million is about as good as its going to get for the Family Shaft.
Filling out the Top 5 is Illumination’s animated sequelThe Secret Life of Pets2, followed by Disney’s live-actionAladdinand Disney-Fox’s cast-off flick,Dark Phoenix. There isn’t an original film in the Top 5, so perhaps franchise fatigue is starting to hit audiences who only have the time and the cash to spare for the biggest “big events” of the years, namely Disney’s MCU andStar Warstitles.
Outside of the traditional studio system, however, Amazon’sLate Nightgot a big bump in the theatrical department, expanding to 2,220 locations and taking in $1.66 million. DirectorNisha Ganatra(Cake) directsEmma ThompsonandMindy Kalingfrom a script by Kaling. Additionally, Focus Features’The Dead Don’t Die, from writer-directorJim Jarmuschand starringBill MurrayandAdam Driver, came up short of $1 million on Friday, shambling forward to a $2.5 million weekend debut.
Check out the Top 5 from the Friday box office below (viaBox Office Mojo):
Men in Black: International
$10,400,000
The Secret Life of Pets 2
$6,890,000
Aladdin (2019)
$4,746,000
Shaft (2019)
$2,730,000
Dark Phoenix
$2,348,000
