Sony’s kids movie “The Smurfs 2” hit the ground running Wednesday, taking in an estimated $5.2 million domestically and finishing No. 1 at the box office in its first day of release.
That puts the 3D live action-animation mash-up on pace for a five-day opening-weekend total of more than $30 million. First-night audiences gave it an "A-" CinemaScore, a good sign for word-of-mouth.
The original “Smurfs” movie opened to $35 million in July 2011 and went on to take in more than $560 million globally. The majority of that came from overseas, and the sequel is expected to make most of its money abroad, as well.
Also read: Denzel Washington: Mr. Dependable Looks to Extend Box-Office Hot Streak With '2 Guns'
Early reports also had “The Smurfs 2” opening to an estimated $1.4 million Wednesday in the U.K., one of 42 foreign markets in which it will debut this weekend. Sony is hoping it can match the $420 million the original film took in internationally.
The PG-rated “Smurfs 2" is in 3,866 theaters in the U.S. The weekend’s other wide opener, the Denzel Washington-Mark Wahlberg action comedy “2 Guns,” will be in more than 2,800.
Last week’s No. 1 movie, Fox’s “The Wolverine,” took in $4.7 million Wednesday and was second. Horror film “The Conjuring” was third with $2.6 million.
“Smurfs 2” is directed by Raja Gosnell, and features voice stars Neil Patrick Harris, Katy Perry, Christina Ricci, Hank Azaria and Brendan Gleeson.