The sizzling tennis drama "Challengers" clinched the top spot at the box office this weekend, raking in $15 million in ticket sales, as per studio estimates released Sunday.
Zendaya, alongside co-stars Mike Faist and Josh O'Connor, embarked on a whirlwind global press tour to promote Italian director Luca Guadagnino's original film, which debuted in 3,477 locations across the U.S. and Canada.
"We're incredibly pleased with the numbers," stated Kevin Wilson, head of theatrical distribution for Amazon Studios and MGM. "Considering the audience turnout, it's truly encouraging. This demographic isn't the easiest to draw to theaters."
Females constituted 58% of ticket purchasers, with the majority falling into the younger age bracket, with 41% aged between 18 and 24.
Approximately 40% of the opening weekend grosses stemmed from large format screens, including IMAX. A PostTrak exit poll cited by Deadline revealed that 55% of moviegoers attended the film specifically because of Zendaya. Notably, Zendaya-related films, including the re-release of "Dune: Part Two" in IMAX, contributed around 26% to the overall box office this weekend.
The 27-year-old actor has been a part of several blockbuster franchises in recent years, such as the "Spider-Man" and "Dune" series, albeit in supporting roles. Nevertheless, her captivating red carpet appearances frequently garner headlines. "Challengers" presents the first true test of her solo star power, with both MGM and Amazon unwilling to take the risk of releasing the film without her.
Originally slated for a fall 2023 release with a grand premiere at the Venice Film Festival, the studio postponed the launch when actors went on strike last July. The decision was made to reschedule the film's release to this weekend, anticipating the strike's resolution. Zendaya donned numerous tennis-themed ensembles, curated by stylist Law Roach, for her promotional outings.
"It's difficult to argue that we should have released this movie without her support," remarked Wilson, acknowledging the studio's publicity and marketing teams for orchestrating a globally successful tour that yielded several viral fashion moments.
Reviews for the R-rated film, which tantalizes with a steamy and competitive love triangle among tennis players, have been overwhelmingly positive, boasting an 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes and earning a B+ CinemaScore from opening day audiences.
Guadagnino's previous film, "Bones and All," starring Zendaya's "Dune" co-star Timothée Chalamet, grossed $15.2 million throughout its entire run. "Challengers" is expected to surpass "Call Me By Your Name" ($18 million) to become Guadagnino's highest-grossing film by midweek.
For Amazon MGM Studios, the film's value transcends the box office, generating downstream value for Amazon, especially when "Challengers" eventually lands on Prime Video.
"I've always believed that a theatrical release is the ideal way to launch certain films," stated Wilson. "When 'Challengers' arrives on Prime Video, it's bound to perform at a level far beyond what it would have achieved if it had gone directly to the platform. The theatrical release is just one component of the equation."
The runner-up at the box office was the faith-based film "Unsung Hero," which amassed an estimated $7.8 million from 2,832 locations. "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" secured third place with $7.2 million in its fifth weekend, followed by A24's "Civil War" with $7 million in its third weekend. Closing out the top five was the horror film "Abigail" with $5.3 million in ticket sales.
"While April 2024 provided a platform for captivating, innovative, and critically acclaimed films to shine at the box office," noted Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for Comscore, "it was a fantastic month for moviegoers seeking something beyond the typical summer blockbusters."
The upcoming weekend will mark the commencement of the summer movie season with the release of the Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt action-comedy "The Fall Guy."
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore, will be finalized on Monday.
1. "Challengers," $15 million.
2. "Unsung Hero," $7.8 million.
3. "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire," $7.2 million.
4. "Civil War," $7 million.
5. "Abigail," $5.3 million.
6. "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare," $3.9 million.
7. "Kung Fu Panda 4," $3.6 million.
8. "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire," $3.3 million.
9. "Dune: Part Two," $2 million.
10. "Boy Kills World," $1.7 million.
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