#BOXOFFICE: “KUNG FU PANDA 3” RELEASES ITS “QI” ON MOVIEGOERS

KUNG FU PANDA 3 continues its winning legacy, topping the Box Office in its debut this weekend across theatres in North America. It earns $41 million from 3,955 theatres for 20th Century Fox. Despite being the Franchise’s lowest debut to date with a $47 million opening 2012 and a $60 million opening in 2008, it continues to be a highly-bankable venture with Critics praising it with a 79% on the Tomatometer and Audiences feeling the same with an A CinemaScore.

THE REVENANT after topping the Box Office last weekend slips to second spot with $11 million also for 20th Century Fox. It has made $137 million domestically thus far in six weeks.

THE FINEST HOURS opens in third for Disney with $9.7 million from 3,143 theatres.  Critics gave the Craig Gillespie (Lars & The Real Girl) Film 59% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences gave it a decent A- CinemaScore giving it some hope for success in coming weeks as word of mouth spreads.

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS is in fourth this weekend with $9 million, now in its seventh week out. By this time next week it will have surpassed the $900-million-mark for Disney.

DIRTY GRANDPA is in seventh in its second week out with $6.8 million for VVS Films/Lionsgate Films, surpassing the $20-million-mark.

FIFTY SHADES OF BLACK, a parody of FIFTY SHADES OF GREY, opens in ninth for Open Road Films/D Films, with $5.9 million from 2,075 theatres.  Critics gave it 13% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences gave it a CinemaScore.

13 HOURS: THE SECRET SOLDIERS OF BENGHAZI rounds-out the Top Ten with $5.8 million for Paramount Pictures, from 2,803 theatres. It is nearing the $50-million-mark.