CPXGF - Marvel taking over from Mario with 'Guardians of the Galaxy' splash

2023-05-05 14:18:39 ET

Mario, make room for Marvel.

Even as The Super Mario Bros. Movie ( NASDAQ: CMCSA ) continues its best-of-2023 theatrical run, the weekend is set to belong to the latest superhero entry from Walt Disney ( NYSE: DIS ): Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is primed to dominate screens.

The new film, a wrap-up of the Marvel Comics-based film franchise, drew $17.5M in Thursday previews and marks Marvel's latest attempt to jump-start each summer's box office.

That preview figure is ahead of the same number for its predecessor, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 -- a film that went on to gross nearly $390M domestically (after a $164.5M opening) and a total of $863.8M worldwide.

That points to a sure three-figure splash for Vol. 3, now tracking in the $120M-$130M opening range. And it will surely take over the No. 1 spot from The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which drew $40.8M last weekend (its fourth on screens).

But with Mario's unusual hold on business, it's looking good to hold the No. 2 spot against the other new romance-focused entries: What's Love Got to Do With It (Shout Studios) and Love Again ( NYSE: SONY ), each looking at modest totals.

The Guardians of the Galaxy franchise has paid off for Marvel and Disney. The first film grossed $333.2M domestically and $772.8M worldwide, to go with the sequel's $863.8M worldwide.

Vol. 3 is opening on a record 1,556 IMAX ( NYSE: IMAX ) screens across 82 markets, Comscore noted. The entire film offers an expanded aspect ratio exclusive to IMAX screens.

Cinema tickers: AMC Entertainment ( AMC ); Cineworld ( OTCPK:CNNWQ ); Cinemark ( CNK ); ( IMAX ); Marcus ( MCS ); Reading International ( RDI ); Cineplex ( CGX:CA ); National CineMedia ( NCMI ).

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