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The Super Mario Bros. Movie significantly impacted the box office by grossing an enormous $31.7 million on its opening day. The film is expected to earn $92 million over the traditional weekend and $141 million in its first five days of release. Meanwhile, Air, Ben Affleck’s sports drama, opened to respectable numbers with $3.2 million from 3,507 venues.
Super Mario Bros. Movie’s Successful Opening
Following a better-than-expected opening day, the Super Mario Bros. Movie estimates have been raised to $92 million over the weekend and $141 million in its first five days of release. The film is a big-screen adaptation of the famous Super Mario Bros. video game franchise. Universal and Illumination are backing the film.
The international box office also showed impressive numbers for the movie. The Super Mario Bros. Movie earned $34.7 million from 44 markets, led by Mexico ($5.9 million), U.K. and Ireland ($4.8 million), and China ($4.7 million). It will expand to 70 overseas territories by Sunday.
The movie features a voice cast of Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Jack Black. Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, it follows the adventures of Mario and his friends as they prepare to stop the all-powerful Bowser from world domination.
The upcoming $100 million-budgeted animated adventure will benefit from the months-long lack of movies for family audiences.
Air Opens Respectably
Air, which Amazon backs, is one of the rare films from a streamer to get a traditional theatrical release. The $90 million-budgeted movie is projected to earn $10.6 million over the weekend and $16 million to $18 million in its first five days of release.
The movie is directed by Ben Affleck, who also stars alongside Matt Damon and Viola Davis. It recounts the true story of the Nike shoe salesman who pursues NBA rookie Michael Jordan for a deal to wear their shoes. In Variety’s review, chief film critic Peter Debruge called Air a “funny, touching Cinderella story” and the “ultimate example of the American dream.”
Post-Pandemic Moviegoers
Super Mario Bros. Movie and Air have different target audiences. Super Mario Bros. Movie caters to family audiences, while Air is geared towards adult moviegoers, who have been particularly selective in post-pandemic times. Great reviews and a starry cast should help in filling seats for Air.
How long will Air play on the big screen before it streams on Prime Video, or what kind of ticket sales will Amazon need to count the experiment as a win? Regardless, the theatrical release of Air shows Amazon’s commitment to creating and distributing high-quality movies.
Super Mario Bros. Movie Trailer:
Air Trailer:
