The top spot at the box office this past weekend was claimed by “Challengers,” a R-rated tennis drama starring Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, and Mike Faist. The film opened in 3,477 theaters across the U.S. and Canada after earning about $1.9 million in Thursday previews. It ended up bringing in $15 million, which was in line with expectations, though the overall trend of a slow box office continued. Despite this, “Challengers” has received largely positive reviews, with an 87% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes.
In a surprising turn, movies starring Zendaya dominated the box office this weekend, with the rerelease of “Dune: Part Two” in iMax also contributing to this success. The “Dune” sequel brought in about $2 million, further bolstering Zendaya’s presence at the box office. “Unsung Hero,” a faith-based movie starring Daisy Betts, exceeded expectations by earning $7.8 million, taking the second spot at the box office. Meanwhile, “Godzilla x Kong” claimed the third spot with an estimated $7.2 million in its fifth weekend in theaters.
Looking ahead, “Challengers” is poised to become director Luca Guadagnino’s top-grossing movie domestically by mid-week, surpassing the $18 million domestic total of “Call Me By Your Name.” The film’s release was originally scheduled for fall 2023 but faced delays due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. It was ultimately pushed to this spring, where it has found success at the box office. This success bodes well for the film’s future performance and potential for further growth in the coming weeks.
Despite the ongoing challenges facing the box office, particularly with the ongoing effects of the pandemic, “Challengers” has managed to make a significant impact in its opening weekend. With positive reviews and strong performances from the cast, including Zendaya, the film has garnered attention and support from audiences. As more theaters reopen and audiences return to the big screen, it will be interesting to see how “Challengers” and other upcoming releases continue to perform and shape the future of the box office landscape.
