#BOXOFFICE: “MALEFICENT” BEWITCHES AUDIENCES

While it doesn’t quite match the feat of its Predecessor, MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL opens on-top for Disney in its bow with $37 million from 3,790 theatres. It gets 41% on the Tomatometer and an A CinemaScore. The previous installment in 2014 opened with $69.4 million.

In second after two weeks on-top, is JOKER with $28.3 million from 4,090 theatres for Warner Bros., a total $346 million grossed thus far in North America.

In third is ZOMBIELAND: DOUBLE TAP with $26.5 million for Sony Pictures from 3,468 theatres. This bests its 2009 Predecessor which opened with $24 million. It gets 68% on the Tomatometer and a B+ CinemaScore.

HUSTLERS is in right with $2 million from 1,575 theatres for STX Entertainment/Elevation Pictures, taking it just past the $100 million-mark donestically in six weeks.

IT: CHAPTER TWO rounds-out this Top Ten with $1.4 million from 1,528 theatres, a seven week run of $209.5 million. It just edges-out critical darling PARASITE, which from just 30 theatres, takes $1.38 million for Neon/MK2.