AceShowbiz - "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" has officially kicked off summer box office. Living up to its expectation as Disney's tentpole, the superhero space opera opens to an estimated $114 million in North America.

While anytime film opens over $100 million is a big feat, the third "GOTG" installment missed expectations of $120 million and arrived considerably behind its predecessor "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2", which debuted to $146 million in 2017. It is still a jump from the first "Guardians of the Galaxy" movie, which opened to $94 million in 2014.

"GOTG Vol. 3" is only slightly better than "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania", which took in $106 million in its first weekend last February. In fact, it ranks the last among any other Disney's Marvel movie that opens on the first weekend of May. Only a year ago, "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" soared to a series-best $187 million in its domestic launch.

Comscore senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian, however, still thinks it's a solid opening for the summer season. "Though 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3's' debut may reflect a bit of audience fatigue for the reliable superhero genre, this is just the beginning for what promises to be an irresistible movie marketplace with a killer combination of appealing films for every taste and every audience demographic," he says.

Overseas, "GOTG Vol. 3" fares better as it starts off with a better-than-expected $168.1 million from 52 markets for a global start of $282.1 million. It ranks No. 1 everywhere, even in China which led with $28.1 million.

Audiences clearly love the movie as it earned an A CinemaScore, though it doesn't resonate with reviewers. The film has the lowest Rotten Tomatoes critics score of the three films, with an average rating of 7.2/10.

"GOTG Vol. 3" bumps former champion "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" to No. 2 with an estimated $18.6 million. "Evil Dead Rise" is also down one place to No. 3 with approximately $5.7 million.

"Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret." follows at No. 4 with an estimated $3.4 million, while "John Wick: Chapter 4" rounds out the top five with approximately $2.4 million. Trailing behind at No. 6 is the only another new release which makes into the top 10 this week, "Love Again", with an estimated $2.2 million.

Top 10 of North America Box Office (May. 05-07, 2023):

1. "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" - $114 million
2. "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" - $18.6 million
3. "Evil Dead Rise" - $5.7 million
4. "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret." - $3.4 million
5. "John Wick: Chapter 4" - $2.4 million
6. "Love Again" - $2.2 million
7. "Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves" - $1.5 million
8. "Air" - $1.4 million
9. "The Covenant" - $1.2 million
10. "Sisu" - $1.1 million