It’s “Super Mario World” and we’re just living in it.
Universal and Illumination’s “Super Mario Galaxy Movie” once again led the box office, adding $17.5 million in its second Friday of release in North American theaters. The animated sequel is expected to gross $68.99 domestically through Sunday, down 48% from last weekend’s numbers.
“Galaxy”‘s predecessor, 2023’s “Super Mario Bros. Movie,” grossed $92.3 million domestically in its second weekend. However, the film had solid reviews (82% on Rotten Tomatoes) and the novelty of launching a new film franchise, two essential elements of Super Mario Galaxy. Still, the second weekend’s $68.9 million figure is nothing to scoff at. Domestic profits are expected to reach $308 million by Sunday.
Universal also released this weekend’s new film You Me and Tuscany, which earned $3.1 million from 3,000 theaters domestically on Friday and placed fourth. The film is expected to gross approximately $8.3 million at the North American box office by Sunday.
“You, Me, and Tuscany” features Anna, played by Halle Bailey. Anna is staying in an uninhabited Tuscan villa under the guise of the real owner’s fiancé. But as she develops a romance with the owner’s cousin, played by Regé-Jean Page, her lies begin to unravel. Other cast members include Marco Calvani, Aziza Scott, Isabella Ferrari, and Lorenzo de Moor. Directed by Kat Coiro, written by Ryan and Christine Engle.
In second place on Friday was “Project Hail Mary,” which earned $6.8 million domestically. The sci-fi blockbuster is expected to gross $26 million through Sunday, with a decline of just 18%. After four weekends of release, the film is expected to gross $258 million at the North American box office.
In third place was A24’s “The Drama,” which earned an estimated $2.8 million domestically in its second Friday of release. The film got off to a strong start last weekend with $14 million at the box office and is expected to add another $9.1 million by Sunday. Zendaya and Robert Pattinson star in Christopher Bolgli’s rug-pulling romantic comedy about a soon-to-be-married couple whose relationship falls apart after a shocking revelation.
Finally, in fifth place was Disney and Pixar’s “Hoopers,” which grossed $1.1 million at the domestic box office on Friday. They should have cut down about $4 million by Sunday. The animated adventure is projected to have grossed $157 million in North America in its first four weeks of release.
