"Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire" scared its way to the top of the North American box office this weekend, taking in an estimated $45.2 million in what one analyst called a "unique and impressive opening."
The opening weekend for “Frozen Empire,” in 4,345 theatres, was nearly exactly the same as the $44 million launch for “Ghostbusters: Afterlife" in 2021. “Afterlife” rebooted the franchise with a sequel built around the descendants (Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace) of Harold Ramis’ Egon Spengler, along with Paul Rudd’s seismologist Gary Grooberson.
"Only four other comedic series in the last 27 years have lasted five episodes," analyst David A. Gross said, with ticket sales for the latest entry in Sony's comedy series coming in "well above average for the genre."
Still, with a $100 million budget, "Frozen Empire" has a way to go to reach profitability.
Neither film has been a hit with critics, but audiences have been more receptive. “Frozen Empire” garnered a B+ CinemaScore from moviegoers, a tick down from the A- score for “Afterlife.” “Frozen Empire” isn't assured of profitability, but it will hope for sustained business over spring break.
“Ghostbusters” films tend to make a low impact internationally. In 25 overseas markets, “Frozen Empire” added $16.4 million.
The latest “Ghostbusters” cost about $100 million to make. After Jason Reitman took over directing duties from his father, Ivan Reitman, to helm “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” “Frozen Empire” is directed by Gil Kenan, co-writer of “Afterlife.”
Those two sequels took “Ghostbusters” in a more family-oriented, albeit PG-13 rated, direction, with original cast members Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson and Bill Murray returning in supporting roles. After the 2016 female-led “Ghostbusters” prompted a backlash, Sony rebooted the franchise.
Co-written by Jason Reitman, whose father Ivan Reitman directed the original "Ghostbusters" in 1984, the film teams a new cadre of ghost catchers (Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon) with the veterans (Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson) as they take on a frightening deity trying to launch a new Ice Age.
Meanwhile Warner Bros.' sci-fi epic "Dune: Part Two," about war and survival in an inhospitable sand-covered planet, again managed a strong second place, taking in an estimated $17.6 million for the Friday-through-Sunday period.
It has now earned $233.3 million in the US and Canada and $341 million internationally, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported.
In third, dropping two spots from last weekend, was Universal and DreamWorks Animation's martial arts comedy "Kung Fu Panda 4," at $16.8 million.
"Immaculate," a new psychological horror film from indie studio Neon and starring Sydney Sweeney, placed fourth at $5.4 million.
Sweeney, a graduate of hit TV series "Euphoria" and recent rom-com "Anyone But You," plays a nun who -- despite her virginity -- becomes pregnant. Other nuns in her remote Italian convent at first treat her as the next Virgin Mary -- but then things start getting creepy -- very creepy.
And in fifth spot was Lionsgate's "Arthur the King," at $4.4 million. Mark Wahlberg plays an adventurer who befriends an injured stray dog.
Rounding out the top 10 were:
"Late Night With the Devil" ($2.8 million)
"Imaginary" ($2.8 million)
"Love Lies Bleeding" ($1.6 million)
"Cabrini" ($1.4 million)
"Bob Marley: One Love" ($1.1 million)
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