Paramount’s Scary Movie opened to an estimated $105.5m worldwide for the June 5-7 weekend, leading the global box office and setting a franchise record, screendaily.com reports.
The sixth instalment in the horror parody series earned $55 million in North America and $50.5 million from 53 international markets.
The debut is 75% higher than Scary Movie 3, the previous franchise best, and takes total earnings for the series beyond $1 billion.
Directed by Michael Tiddes, the film topped charts in most major territories. It scored Paramount’s biggest comedy opening in Mexico with $6.7 million including previews, and set company records in Brazil and Colombia. Latin America delivered $21.5l million and Europe $26 million. Other leading markets included UK-Ireland, Germany with $5.5 million, Brazil with $5.1 million, France with $3.2 million, Australia with $2.7 million and Italy with $2.2 million. The international rollout covered 95% of territories, with New Zealand, Norway and the Philippines opening next week.
Amazon MGM Studios’ Masters of the Universe placed second with $54.3 million worldwide. The live-action adaptation took $29.3 million domestically and $25 million from 87 international markets. Brazil led with $4.5 million, followed by UK-Ireland, Mexico with $2.8 million, Germany with $1.9 million, Australia with $1.5 million and China with $1.3 million. The film earned $4.2 million from Imax, including $2.6 million in North America. Based on Mattel’s toy franchise, it stars Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Adam alongside Camila Mendes, Idris Elba, Jared Leto and Alison Brie.
Low-budget horror titles Backrooms and Obsession each crossed $200 million worldwide. Backrooms added $50.1 million for a $212.7 million total after expanding to 52 markets. International takings fell 32% to $24.2 million. The film, from 20-year-old director Kane Parsons, has earned $135.1 million in North America and $77.6 million internationally. Obsession rose 8% to $43.3 million for a $224.8 million total. International markets grew 19% to $17.7 million with the film now in 57 territories. It has grossed $73.3 million internationally and $151.5 million in North America. The film was made for a reported $750,000.
The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act entered the global top 10 with $26.5 million from 22 markets. The cinema release of the final two episodes from Australia’s Glitch Productions has reached $35.5 million worldwide, split between $21.1 million in North America and $14.4 million internationally.
Holdovers included Disney’s Star Wars: The Mandalorian And Grogu, which added $26 million for a $293.6 million total, and The Devil Wears Prada 2 with $11.8 million for $663.6 million.
Michael became Lionsgate’s highest-grossing film after adding $23.1 million to reach $888.1 million worldwide. Universal handles the title internationally, excluding Japan, where it has made $533.8 million.
Other titles in the top 10 were Peddi with $16.4 million for a $30.6 million total and Dear You with $16.2 million, taking its China-only cume to $236.3 million.
The strong weekend performance comes as UK-Ireland box office revenue rose 11% year-on-year in May, driven by a slate of franchise and horror releases.
•Featured image source: Paramount / Amazon MGM Studios
