‘Blue Beetle’ Tops ‘Barbie’ At the Box Office

“Blue Beetle” made a noteworthy entrance with an estimated $25.4 million debut in the North American market.

However, the impact of Tropical Storm Hilary on the film’s primary market, Los Angeles and other parts of the Southwest, is yet to be fully understood, though Warner Bros. anticipates a substantial influence.

On the global stage, the film garnered $18 million across 63 markets, resulting in a total worldwide opening of $43.4 million.

The mood surrounding the superhero film might be tinged with a hint of disappointment. Not only did “Blue Beetle” fall short of initial projections – pre-weekend predictions had hinted at a $28 million to $32 million range – but it also marked one of the weakest openings within the DC Extended Universe without adjusting for inflation.

Director Ángel Manuel Soto’s “Blue Beetle” creation stands as Hollywood’s pioneering live-action superhero venture centered around a Latino protagonist. The film aspires to make strides in Latino representation in front of and behind the camera. Xolo Maridueña takes on the lead role, supported by a cast including Adriana Barraza, Damían Alcázar, Raoul Max Trujillo, Susan Sarandon, George Lopez, Elpidia Carrillo, Bruna Marquezine, Belissa Escobedo, Harvey Guillén, and Becky G.

According to PostTrak, a service specializing in exit polling, 39 percent of ticket purchasers were of Latino descent, surpassing 30 percent. The top-performing theaters included AMC Burbank in L.A., AMC Empire in New York City, Harkins Estrella Falls in Phoenix, AMC Grove in Los Angeles, AMC Century City in Los Angeles, AMC Puente Hills in Los Angeles, Santikos Casa Blanca in San Antonio, Cinemark Tinseltown in El Paso, Texas, AMC Orange in Los Angeles, and AMC Disney Springs in Orlando, Florida.

The release of “Blue Beetle” faced a setback due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, preventing the film’s cast from participating in the publicity tour. Regarding audience response, the film garnered a B+ CinemaScore and exhibited a predominantly male audience (66 percent).

Meanwhile, Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” sensation secured $21.5 million, amassing a staggering domestic total of $567.3 million. It added another $26 million from overseas markets, accumulating a foreign total of $711.9 million and a grand global sum of $1.279 billion.

Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” in its fifth weekend, maintained a strong presence with a third-place performance, grossing $10.6 million.

Universal’s “Oppenheimer” attained another milestone this weekend, crossing the $700 million global mark, solidifying its position as Nolan’s fourth highest-grossing film. With a domestic tally of $285.2 million and an impressive $432.6 million internationally, the film’s worldwide earnings stand at $717.8 million.

On the other hand, Universal’s comedy “Strays,” centered around mischievous canines, struggled to find its audience, commencing with an estimated $8.3 million in the domestic market. This placing landed it fifth, trailing Paramount’s “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,” which held fourth. The final ranking will be disclosed on Monday morning.

Like “Blue Beetle,” “Strays” encountered challenges related to the SAG-AFTRA strike, preventing the inclusion of the voice cast in publicity efforts. The film garnered a B+ CinemaScore and joined the league of R-rated summer comedies that faced box office disappointments. The ensemble voice release features Will Ferrell, Jamie Foxx, Isla Fisher, Randall Park, and Josh Gad.

“Mutant Mayhem,” in its third weekend, secured an estimated $8.4 million, accumulating a domestic total of $88.1 million.

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