ate of Spider-Man, struggled to gain traction, generating $10.8 million over the weekend and $14.7 million through Presidents’ Day. The studio is planning to expand “Madame Web” in the coming weeks, hoping to capitalize on the lack of competition in the marketplace.
Disney’s “Death on the Nile” landed in third place, adding $10.8 million over the weekend. The star-studded mystery, featuring Kenneth Branagh, Gal Gadot, and Armie Hammer, has made $28.3 million in North America and $62 million globally since its release on Feb. 11. The film has been bolstered by its availability on the streaming service Disney Plus, where it’s available to subscribers for a premium fee of $30.
Another new release, “Blacklight,” starring Liam Neeson as a fixer for the FBI, debuted to $3.6 million over the weekend and $5.2 million through Monday. The action thriller is playing in 2,530 locations and was not well-received by critics, evidenced by its 12% rotten average on Rotten Tomatoes.
Paramount also saw success with “Sonic the Hedgehog 2,” which debuted a new trailer during the Super Bowl. The family film, which is set to hit theaters on April 8, generated a significant amount of buzz on social media. The first “Sonic the Hedgehog” movie was a box office hit, grossing $319.7 million worldwide.
Overall, domestic box office receipts have surged since the start of the year, with hits like “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” “Scream,” and “Uncharted” driving ticket sales. The success of “One Love” and “Death on the Nile” is a sign that moviegoers are once again eager to return to theaters, even as the pandemic continues to pose challenges for the industry.
