Red One’s time at the top was short-lived with the arrival of Gladiator II, which opened at #1 on 121 screens. It took $973,192 over its first weekend, to total $1,060,347.
On 104 screens, Red One was a long way behind, adding $250,422 for a gross take of $621,392.
Opening at #3, Filipino title Hello, Love, Again played a very low 11 screens, but took $165,212 from them. On home turf, where it also opened last week, the film took the country’s opening day record for the highest-earning local title.
The highest-placed local title here was Lucy Lawless’ doco, Never Look Away, which opened on 31 screens to end the weekend in 13th place. Already with NZIFF screenings under its belt, it took $19,159 on the weekend for a total of $68,426.
Sharko was the only other local title playing more than 10 screens over the weekend, earning $1,321 to gross $15,495.
Head South added $2,728 to total $15,620. Maurice & I took $1,071 to reach $348,429. We Were Dangerous earned $1,013 for $641,130. Bookworm added $378 for $466,490. Encanto Reo Maori added $200 to total $227,879. A Mistake took $143 for $113,561.
The biggest of the titles opening this week is The Wizard of Oz spinoff, Wicked, with a heavyweight cast including Ariana Grande, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh and Peter Dinklage.
As always, huge thanks to Numero for the data that powers our box office reports.
