Chloe Zhao’s “Eternals” earned a B from audiences on CinemaScore, the lowest in MCU history
Marvel Studios’ “Eternals” opened to a $30.7 million launch from 4,090 locations on Friday, putting it on course for an opening weekend of $70-75 million, according to Disney estimates. By comparison, fellow 2021 Marvel title “Black Widow” opened to $80 million in July after a $39.5 million Friday while “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” opened to $75.8 million in September after a $29.5 million Friday. “Shang-Chi” was able to blow past industry estimates thanks to a strong Sunday hold, leading into a Monday Labor Day performance that pushed the film to a holiday record $94.6 million 4-day opening. But while “Shang-Chi” was able to do that thanks to strong reception from critics and audiences, “Eternals” is facing much more mixed reception, hence the lower estimates from industry sources. Along with a 49% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, “Eternals” now has a B on CinemaScore, both being the lowest ever for the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the previous low on CinemaScore was a B+ for “Thor” in 2011. It’s also below the B+ received by comic book movies like “Venom: There Will Be Carnage” and “The Suicide Squad” earlier this year.
