RDI - 'Free Guy' a positive surprise for Disney drawing $28 million

Free Guy racked up some not-so-free movie ticket sales over the weekend for theaters and for Walt Disney (DIS -1.1%). The film easily led the box office and outperformed expectations with $28.4 million in grosses. That's significantly better than expectations for $15 million-$18 million, and it's an early pointer toward profitability for the $100 million-plus production. And it came as a key test of exhibition health since there was no competing online release to keep people home from theaters. Now it may pan out as a new small franchise for Disney, as it's among the rare hit lately based on original content. It added $22.5 million overseas to land at $51 million worldwide. It finished ahead of rival release Don't Breathe 2, the horror sequel from Screen Gems (SONY -2.1%) that grossed $10.6 million vs. an expected $8 million-$10 million. And fellow wide release and Aretha Franklin biopic Respect (OTC:MGMB)

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'Free Guy' a positive surprise for Disney, drawing $28 million