Box Office Report for the Week of April 30

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is 2023’s first billion-dollar film. Despite mixed reviews from critics, audiences ignored the word of mouth and continuously showed up for the biggest hit of the year so far, which has now grossed over $1.022 billion worldwide. It’s still not the highest-grossing animated film of all time, but it is the highest-grossing video game movie of all time.

I wonder if any “tentpole” superhero film this year will hit that coveted billion-dollar mark and give The Super Mario Bros. Movie a run for its money. Still, it seems very unlikely (even if Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3 is poised to take the top spot this weekend). I feel the next billion-dollar film will be The Little Mermaid, which is projected to open BIG on Memorial Day weekend, with an even more significant tally than 2019’s Aladdin (which ended up making over $1 billion at the global box office).

This week was a pretty diverse one in terms of new theatrical content. Unfortunately, Big George Foreman: The Miraculous Story of the Once and Future Heavyweight Champion of the World (that title is sure a mouthful) and Polite Society both tanked at the box office. While Big George Foreman did not receive great reviews, critics have raved about Polite Society since it premiered at the Sundance International Film Festival. Unfortunately, the movie barely did an impact and ended in fifteenth place, with a lousy $800,000 tally in 927 theatres.

A re-release of Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi made more money in fewer theatres, grossing over $4.6 million in 475 theatres. Ponniyin Selvan: Part Two also grossed more money than Polite Society in fewer theatres, making over $3.8 million in 600 theatres. Like its predecessor, the movie had a limited release in select IMAX theatres in Tamil and Hindi.

However, it grossed less money than the first part, which became the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2022 and the second-highest-grossing Tamil film of all time. The sequel has already grossed over 100 crores worldwide and could be on track to be one of the highest-grossing Tamil movies of all time.

It was also a big week for Lionsgate, which released two movies this weekend on top of the success John Wick: Chapter 4 is currently bringing to the studio. Kelly Fremon Craig’s Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. opened with a terrific $6.8 million tally, signaling that there is indeed an appetite for coming-of-age stories on the big screen. On the other hand, Jalmari Helander’s Sisu opened in tenth position with a rather unimpressive $3.2 million tally, especially with the incredible buzz it’s been getting since it premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Still, the choice for films this weekend was varied, from an Indian historical epic, an exploitation/midnight madness 90-minute actioner, to a coming-of-age adaptation of a popular Judy Blume book.

Here’s the full list of the top ten films of the week:

1. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Universal): $40M (-33.3%) – 4,204 theatres
2. Evil Dead Rise (Warner Bros): $12.2M (-50.2%) – 3,417 theatres
3. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. (Lionsgate): $6.8M – 3,343 theatres
4. John Wick: Chapter 4 (Lionsgate): $5M (-14.4%) – Theater info unavailable
5. Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (Disney): $4.6M – 475 theatres
6. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (Paramount): $4.0M (-25.5%) – 2,709 theatres
7. Air (Amazon Studios): $3.9M (-27%) – 2,402 theatres
8. Ponniyin Selvan: Part Two (Lyca Productions): $3.8M – 600 theatres
9. The Covenant (MGM): $3.6M (-43.3%) – 2,631 theatres
10. Sisu (Lionsgate): $3.2M – 1,006 theatres

Source: Box Office Mojo