Plenty of families packed in to see “Cars 3” Friday night, as the Disney/Pixar film raced to $19.5 million at 4,256 locations, topping all other newcomers at the start of Father’s Day weekend
Trackers are suggesting opening weekend between $56 million and $66 million, while the first “Cars” opened to $60 million. “Cars 3” has a solid 65 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes.
“Cars 3” follows Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) in the twilight of his racing career as he is eclipsed by a new generation of racers led by high-tech rookie Jackson Storm (Armie Hammer). After a crash puts his career in doubt, Lightning decides to make a comeback with the help of his racing team’s new trainer, Cruz Ramirez (Cristela Alonzo). Brian Fee directed the screenplay by Bob Peterson, Kiel Murray and Mike Rich. Fee, Ben Queen, Eyal Powell and Jonathan E. Stewart are producing.
Lionsgate’s Tupac Shakur biopic “All Eyez On Me” rocked to a solid $12.8 million across 2,471 locations Friday, finishing second to “Cars 3.” The film also brought in $3.1 million in Thursday previews
Trackers had set an opening weekend range of $17-22 million, but based on its strong start, the studio is now projecting a three-day gross topping $30 million. The movie carries an abysmal 24 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but its A- CinemaScore may have helped it with word-of-mouth business. Also, Shakur remains a popular figure more than 20 years after his death.
Directed by Benny Boom and produced by Lionsgate’s Codeblack Films and Morgan Creek Productions, “All Eyez on Me” stars Demetrius Shipp, Jr. as the famed rapper Shakur and follows his rise to stardom. Jeremy Haft, Eddie Gonzalez and Steven Bagatourian share writing credit, with David Robinson, L.T. Hutton, and James G. Robinson producing.
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Sony and LStar Capital’s bachelorette party comedy “Rough Night” took third place among new wide releases, as the R-rated film picked up $3.4 million in Friday showings at 3,162 locations. The studio is forecasting a $9 million weekend, with “Cars 3” and Warner Bros. DC Comics hit “Wonder Woman” also going after its female target audience.
Lucia Aniello directed “Rough Night,” which stars Scarlett Johansson, Kate McKinnon, Jillian Bell, Ilana Glazer, and Zoë Kravitz as five college friends who reunite for a bachelorette party that goes horribly wrong when they accidentally kill a male stripper. Aniello co-wrote the film with Paul W. Downs. Both are producing with Dave Becky and Matt Tolmach.
In its third week, “Wonder Woman” continues to hold strong, flying to $10.9 million at 2,700 locations Friday, making it easily the top holdover. With a sterling 92 percent Rotten Tomatoes score, the superhero film is closing in on $250 million domestically.
Patty Jenkins directed the Warner Bros. tentpole, which stars Israeli actress Gal Gadot as the title character. Chris Pine, Connie Nielsen and Robin Wright also feature in the film. Allan Heinberg, Zack Snyder and Jason Fuchs handled the screenplay.