The hulking machines of " Transformers" are no longer box-office behemoths in North America, but they' re still big in China
NEW YORK — The hulking machines of « Transformers » are no longer box-office behemoths in North America, but they’re still big in China.
Michael Bay’s « Transformers: The Last Knight, » the fifth installment in the Hasbro series, scored a franchise-low domestic debut with an estimated $43.5 million over the weekend and a five-day total of $69.1 million since opening Wednesday. All previous « Transformers » sequels opened with $97 million-plus.
But Paramount’s « the Last Knight, » the second franchise entry to star Mark Wahlberg, still showed its might overseas. It took in $196.2 million internationally, including an impressive $123.4 million in China.
« Transformers’ is built for a global audience, » said Paramount’s Kyle Davies. « You really have to consider how we did in the overall, and it was really strong overseas and in China. That’s how we treat ‘Transformers.’ It’s a global property. So we’re hopeful that we’re going to get to a good place. »
Future business will tell whether those grosses are enough to cover a hugely expensive movie — $217 million to make, plus nearly as much to market. Studios reap a smaller percentage of ticket sales from Chinese theaters. And while reviews are never much of a factor in « Transformers » land, they were worse for « the Last Knight » than earlier entries.
« Wonder Woman » and « Cars 3 » tied for second place, both with $25.2 million. Nearly a month after opening, Patty Jenkins’ « Wonder Woman » continues to be a major draw. In four weeks, it has surpassed $300 million domestically. And at $652.9 million globally, it’s the highest grossing film directed by a woman, not accounting for inflation.
In limited release Kumail Nanjiani’s acclaimed romantic comedy « The Big Sick » landed the best per-screen average of the year. It opened in five theaters, grossing an average of $87,000 from each. Amazon plunked down $12 million for the Judd Apatow-produced Sundance Film Festival hit. Lionsgate is handling the theatrical release.
Sofia Coppola’s « The Beguiled » wasn’t far behind. In four theaters, it earned a per-screen average of $60,136. The Focus Features release, starring Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst and Colin Farrell, is a remake of Don Siegel’s 1972 Civil War-era gothic thriller about a wounded Union soldier taken in by a Southern all-girls school. At the Cannes Film Festival last month, Coppola won best director, becoming only the second woman to do so.
Both « The Big Sick » and « The Beguiled » expand nationwide in the coming weeks.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U. S. and Canadian theaters, according to comScore:
1. « Transformers: The Last Knight, » $ 45.3 million ($69.1 million total) 2. (Tie) « Wonder Woman, » $25.2 million ($318.4 million total) 2. (Tie) « Cars 3, » $25.2 million ($99.9 million total) 4. « 47 Meters Down, » $7.4 million ($24.3 million total) 5. « All Eyez On Me, » $5.9 million ($38.6 million total) 6. « The Mummy, » $5.8 million ($68.5 million total) 7. « Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, » $5.2 million ($160 million total) 8. « Rough Night, » $4.7 million ($16.6 million total) 9. « Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie, » $4.3 million ($65.7 million total) 10. « Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, » $3 million ($380.2 million total)
