Movie

Universal's adaptation of Nintendo's video game franchise continues to break more records in its third week as it becomes the highest-grossing animated release of the pandemic era.

• Apr 24, 2023

AceShowbiz - "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" keeps running at full speed in its third week at North American box office. The animated family film easily fends off new releases from taking over the top spot as it added an estimated $58.2 million.

Domestically, Universal Pictures' adaptation of Nintendo's video game franchise has grossed $434.3 million. It's closer to becoming the first movie of 2023 to join the billion-dollar club, having made $437.5 million internationally for a global total of $871.8 million so far.

While it has not reached the $1 billion mark, "Super Mario Bros." has broken other records after surpassing "Jurassic World" ($46.4 million) to rank as Universal's biggest third weekend in history. It also has the seventh-biggest third weekend among any film at the domestic box office after surpassing "Spider-Man: No Way Home" ($56 million), and becomes the highest-grossing animated release of the pandemic era.

"Mario" is additionally the highest-grossing animated film in Universal's history at the domestic box office after besting "Minions: The Rise of Gru" ($369.7 million) and the third-highest of any Universal movie behind "Jurassic World" and "E.T. The Extraterrestrial", unadjusted for inflation.

While "Mario" is unshaken by the competition from new releases, "Evil Dead Rise" has left a mark in its first weekend. The fifth installment of the "Evil Dead" film series scared up an estimated $23.5 million to debut at No. 2. Directed and written by Lee Cronin, the supernatural pic has been embraced by critics and earned a B CinemaScore from audiences.

Guy Ritchie's "The Covenant" enters the chart at No. 3 with disappointing $6.3 million opening, despite positive reviews from critics. "Reviews are very good and foreign business should be solid, but we're coming off a strong run of sharply defined, high-concept releases," says David A. Gross, who runs the movie consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research, of the action thriller. "That's leaving less room for a title like this to find its place."

"John Wick: Chapter 4" still has a kick in its first week, adding approximately $5.8 million to its domestic cume while dropping one spot to No. 4. "Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves" follows close behind at No. 5 with an estimated $5.4 million.

Top 10 of North America Box Office (Apr. 21-23, 2023):

1. "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" - $58.2 million
2. "Evil Dead Rise" - $23.5 million
3. "The Covenant" - $6.3 million
4. "John Wick: Chapter 4" - $5.8 million
5. "Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves" - $5.4 million
6. "Air" - $4.9 million
7. "The Pope's Exorcist" - $3.3 million
8. "Renfield" - $3.1 million
9. "Beau Is Afraid" - $2.8 million
10. "Suzume" - $1.7 million