The UK and Ireland box office experienced a massive tent pole shift, with Universal’s “The Odyssey” taking the top spot and sweeping the market with an impressive opening weekend gross of 12.5 million pounds (approximately $16.8 million).
This result was the second-highest opening slot for a Nolan film on the market, far surpassing “Oppenheimer.” Boosted by unprecedented showings in premium large formats, “The Odyssey” achieved the biggest Friday opening of the year and the fifth-biggest Friday opening in Universal history. BFI Imax, the UK’s biggest screen, reported its biggest three-day opening weekend ever, bringing in $294,249 from a single venue. The historic frame broke the BFI Imax weekend record held by Star Wars: The Last Jedi ($289,682) in 2017, with “Oppenheimer” now in third place with $277,936. To date, the London venue alone has attracted more than 82,000 attendees, generated $2.9 million in ticket sales, maintained a 94% occupancy rate, and recorded 173 consecutive sold-out showtimes, making it the venue’s third highest-grossing title of all time.
Disney took second place with “Toy Story 5,” which earned $2.2 million in its fifth weekend. The film’s five-week box office gross currently stands at $60.6 million. Disney also came in third place with its live-action version of “Moana.” In its second session, the film added $2 million, bringing its total to $7.4 million.
Universal secured the No. 4 spot with “Minions & Monsters,” which earned $1.5 million in its third week, pushing it to a peak of $12.5 million. Studiocanal’s horror feature “Evil Dead Burn” debuted at No. 5 in its second weekend with $406,258 for a total of $2.2 million.
Black Bear’s ensemble comedy-drama “The Invite” occupied the No. 6 spot in its third weekend, adding $318,749 and now stands at $3.3 million. Universal’s “Obsession” followed in seventh place in the 10th slot, earning $249,169 for a total of $24.9 million.
Warner Bros.’ superhero classic “Supergirl” reached No. 8 in its fourth frame with $123,852, pushing its cumulative earnings to $7.4 million. Universal’s Steven Spielberg sci-fi thriller “Disclosure Day” came in ninth place with $91,904 in its sixth week of release, for a total of $16.9 million. Paramount’s “Jackass: The Best and Last” finished in 10th place in its fourth week, adding $57,313 for a total of $2.9 million.
Miracle/iHeart Cinemas will release the animated family film “The Secret of the Chicken Rabbit and the Groundhog” in a large saturated area of over 300 screens ahead of its upcoming theatrical release slot. Park Circus is re-releasing Aardman’s animated classic Chicken Run in more than 100 locations, while Curzon is rolling out a 4K restoration of Andrei Tarkovsky’s masterpiece Nostalgia.
Trafalgar will open Sia’s music events “Sia: Nostalgic For The Present (Concert)” and Altitude “Pinocchio Unstrung.” Verve Pictures launches Helen Walsh’s contemporary drama On the Sea, featuring a cast led by Barry Ward and Lorne Macfadyen. Picture House Entertainment will release Giuseppe Tornatore’s fashion designer documentary Brunello Cucinelli: The Elegant Seer, Mubi Ratchapoum Bumbunchachok’s Cannes-winning paranormal black comedy A Useful Ghost, and Dogwoof Ivy Mehropol’s documentary Ask E. Gene. Zee Studios International will open ‘The India Story’ and Vue Lumière will bring ‘Animal Farm’ to select sites.
