Movie

The John Krasinski-directed horror sequel starring Emily Blunt surpasses the $32.2 million opening gross of 'Godzilla vs. Kong' and is projected to generate a mighty $58 million over the four-day weekend.

• May 31, 2021

AceShowbiz - "A Quiet Place Part II" has a loud start at North American box office. The long-awaited sequel to 2018's sleeper hit "A Quiet Place" has managed to snag the first place at the chart as it opens to an estimated $48.4 million over the weekend so far.

It marks the biggest domestic debut since the pandemic era, breaking the record that was previously held by "Godzilla vs. Kong" which debuted to $32.2 million last April. It's also less than $2 million shy of the $50 million debut of the original movie.

Aided with the four-day Memorial weekend, the Paramount film is projected to bring in a mighty $58 million by Monday, May 31.

"This is the start of the second act in movie-going's rebound and the kind of performance that seemed unimaginable just a few months ago," said Shawn Robbins, chief analyst at Boxoffice.com, of the theater industry in general. "For 'A Quiet Place Part II' to open near the level of its pre-pandemic predecessor despite ongoing capacity limits and other regional restrictions speaks volumes about not just interest in the sequel itself, but also the power of moviegoing."

He added, "Audiences are increasingly eager to reintegrate that shared theatrical experience back into their daily lives," as vaccination has helped bring back audience's trust to go to theaters.

Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore, also commented on the box office performance of the horror movie, "The momentous success of 'A Quiet Place Part II' delivered a knockout punch to those who had figured that the pandemic would accelerate the oft-predicted downward spiral and eventual demise of the movie theater."

Another new release this week is Disney's "Cruella" which took in an estimated $21.3 million for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The film is expected to garner around $42.6 million for the four-day Memorial Day weekend.

"Spiral (2021): From the Book of Saw" drops two places to No. 3 with approximately $2.3 million, bringing its domestic haul to $19.8 million so far. "Wrath of Man" trails behind at No. 4 with an estimated $2.1 million, while "Raya and the Last Dragon" slips one place to No. 5 with an estimated $2 million.

Top 10 of North America Box Office (May 28-30, 2021):

1. "A Quiet Place Part II" - $48.4 million
2. "Cruella" - $21.3 million
3. "Spiral (2021): From the Book of Saw]" - $2.3 million
4. "Wrath of Man" - $2.1 million
5. "Raya and the Last Dragon" - $1.99 million
6. "Godzilla vs Kong" - $852,000 million
7. "Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train" - $837,000 million
8. "Dream Horse" - $652,373
9. "Those Who Wish Me Dead" - $545,000
10. "World War Z (2021 Re-release)" - $347,000