'Aladdin' rakes in riches: Will Smith's live-action Disney remake soars to $207.1M globally
LOS ANGELES – Moviegoers have voted with their dollars and chosen the familiar over the new this Memorial Day weekend.
Disney's live-action remake of "Aladdin" crushed the competition at the box office, which included two new R-rated movies that opened as counterprogramming to the family film: The critically acclaimed teen comedy "Booksmart" and the superhero/horror movie mashup "Brightburn."
But the strategy didn't quite work. "Aladdin" did better than expected, grossing $90.4 million to take the top spot in North America, according to estimates. By the end of Monday, the film is expected to hit $112.7 million; by comparison, the others won't break $10 million. Already, "Aladdin" has earned $207.1 million worldwide.
"Aladdin," directed by Guy Ritchie, stars Will Smith, Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott and draws heavily on the music and story of the 1992 animated film.
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"We're delighted," says Cathleen Taff, Disney's president of theatrical distribution. "We've hit something that fans are embracing and walking out of wanting to share with others."
Audiences, who were 54% women and 51% families, gave the remake an A grade on CinemaScore, which is much more promising for its continued success than the tepid critical reviews. More than 12,000 moviegoers weighed in on "Aladdin" using Rotten Tomatoes' new verified audience rating, 94% of them positively.
"You can trust that people giving you the score actually sat through the movie," Taff says. "We couldn't ask for a better barometer of fan reception."
The top few spots at the holiday box office were populated by known brands and sequels. "John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum," now in its second weekend, placed second with $31 million for four days, "Avengers: Endgame" took third with $22.3 million, and "Pokémon Detective Pikachu" landed in fourth with $17.3 million.
Original films are struggling to attract significant audiences. The modestly budgeted horror movie "Brightburn" opened in fifth with $9.5 million. The James Gunn-produced film starring Elizabeth Banks puts a sinister spin on the Superman myth and has received mediocre reviews from critics.
A surprise for many, however, was "Booksmart," which debuted in sixth with only $8.7 million, despite excellent reviews and steady buzz from its South by Southwest film festival debut. Some had thought this would be a summer breakout hit.
Olivia Wilde directed the film that stars Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein as two teenage overachievers who decide to go to a party on their last night of high school.
But despite all the hype, including celebrity endorsements on social media from Natalie Portman and Ryan Reynolds, audiences just didn't turn out for "Booksmart" in noteworthy numbers.
Wilde tried to change the course with a Twitter plea.
"Anyone out there saving @Booksmart for another day, consider making that day TODAY," Wilde wrote Saturday. "We are getting creamed by the big dogs out there and need your support. Don't give studios an excuse not to green-light movies made by and about women."
Those who did make to "Booksmart" were mostly women (61%) and under the age of 35 (74%). And the target 17-to-34 age group gave a more favorable exit score (an A) than audiences overall, who gave it a B-plus.
"People are in a popcorn mood," Comscore senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian says. "Films trying to be more introspective and fresh are having a tougher time getting their head above water."
Final numbers are expected Tuesday.
Contributing: Kim Willis
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