The sexy tennis drama 91裸聊视频� Challengers 91裸聊视频� won the box office this weekend with $15 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.
Zendaya and castmates Mike Faist and Josh O91裸聊视频機onnor have been on a globetrotting press tour to get the word out about Italian director Luca Guadagnino91裸聊视频檚 original film, which opened in 3,477 locations in the U.S. and Canada.
Ticket sales from large format screens, including IMAX, made up about 40% of the opening weekend grosses. According to PostTrak exit poll reported by Deadline, 55% of audiences said they went to see the film because of Zendaya. In fact, this weekend, Zendaya movies accounted for around 26% of the overall box office with the re-release of 91裸聊视频� Dune: Part Two 91裸聊视频� in IMAX.
The 27-year-old actor has been part of some of the most successful franchises of the last few years, including the 91裸聊视频淪pider-Man91裸聊视频� and 91裸聊视频淒une91裸聊视频� movies. In both cases those were supporting roles in massive brand-name properties, but her eye-catching red carpet looks also often make headlines. 91裸聊视频淐hallengers91裸聊视频� would be the first real test of her ability to 91裸聊视频渙pen91裸聊视频� a film on her own star and MGM and Amazon were not going to risk doing it without her.
The studio had originally planned to release 91裸聊视频淐hallengers91裸聊视频� in the fall of 2023, with a picturesque launch at the Venice Film Festival. But when the actors went on strike last July, the studio made the decision to scuttle the festival premiere and move the film to this weekend when they could safely assume the strike would be resolved. Zendaya sported many tennis-themed looks, styled by Law Roach, for her appearances.
Reviews have been largely positive for the R-rated movie, which teases a steamy and competitive love triangle between the tennis players. It currently has an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and got a B+ CinemaScore from opening day audiences. Women made up 58% of ticket buyers, who also skewed younger overall: 41% were between the ages of 18 and 24.
Guadagnino91裸聊视频檚 last film 91裸聊视频淏ones and All,91裸聊视频� starring Zendaya91裸聊视频檚 91裸聊视频淒une91裸聊视频� co-star Timoth茅e Chalamet made $15.2 million in its entire run. By mid-week, 91裸聊视频淐hallengers91裸聊视频� expected to surpass 91裸聊视频淐all Me By Your Name91裸聊视频� ($18 million) to become Guadagnino91裸聊视频檚 highest grossing film.
For Amazon MGM Studios, the value also extends beyond the box office driving a 91裸聊视频渄ownstream value91裸聊视频� for Amazon, including when 91裸聊视频淐hallengers91裸聊视频� eventually makes its way to Prime Video.
Second place went to the faith-based film 91裸聊视频淯nsung Hero,91裸聊视频� which made an estimated $7.8 million from 2,832 locations. It91裸聊视频檚 based on the true story of the Smallbone family, and the rise of their children Rebecca St. James, and sons Joel and David (for KING + COUNTRY) in the country music scene. Joel Smallbone directed, co-wrote and portrays his father David.
The Lionsgate film, which was made for only $6 million, scored a rare A+ CinemaScore and has a 100% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The critic91裸聊视频檚 score is a much more tempered 58%. Audiences were overwhelmingly female (69%) and over 25 (91).
A2491裸聊视频檚 91裸聊视频淐ivil War91裸聊视频� also added $7 million in its third weekend, bringing its domestic total to $56.2 million.
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Lindsey Bahr, The Associated Press
