“Avengers: Infinity War” became the second-fastest film in box office history to make $500 million domestically after its third Friday in theaters, when it grossed $16 million, bringing its U.S. total to $502 million and its worldwide total to over $1.3 billion.
“Infinity War” hit the half-billion domestic mark after 15 days in theaters, one day faster than “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” and five days slower than “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” “Avengers” also passed the global run of “The Last Jedi” on Friday thanks to a robust opening day in China, where strong pre-sales pushed the film to a $76 million start. “Infinity War” will look to break the Marvel opening weekend record in China, which is held by “Avengers: Age of Ultron” with $156 million.
Back in the U.S., industry estimates currently project the Marvel film to finish its third weekend with $60 million, a 48 percent drop from its $114 million haul last weekend. That would bring the domestic total by Sunday’s end to $548 million.
Behind “Infinity War” is Warner Bros./New Line’s “Life of the Party,” which, after making $4.9 million on opening night, is in danger of becoming the worst opening weekend for lead star Melissa McCarthy with an estimated $18 million from 3,656 screens against a $32 million budget. That’s down 24 percent from her previous career low, “The Boss,” which opened to $23.6 million in 2016 and, like “Life of the Party,” was directed by McCarthy’s husband, Ben Falcone.
Also like “The Boss,” “Life of the Party” has been tepidly received by audiences, earning a 42 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes and a B on CinemaScore. 63 percent of opening night crowds were over the age of 35, with the 18-35 demo giving the film a B+ on CinemaScore, while viewers under 18 gave the PG-13 comedy an A-. Opening weekend figures might rise on Sunday, as Warner Bros.’ marketing campaign for the film has targeted mothers and daughters in the hope that they will spend Mother’s Day seeing the film together.
In third is Universal’s Will Packer thriller “Breaking In,” which made $4.5 million on opening night from 2,537 screens and is estimated to hit tracker expectations with $14.9 million. While less than “Life of the Party,” this Gabrielle Union- fronted film is in a better financial position, holding a production budget of just $6 million. Critics gave the film negative reviews — as they have with many past films produced by Packer — with a 29 percent Rotten Tomatoes score. But moviegoers were more positive, giving the film a B on CinemaScore.
Pantelion/MGM’s “Overboard” will take fourth in its second weekend, dropping 44 percent from its $14.7 million opening for an $8.3 million weekend total. Paramount’s “A Quiet Place” completes the top five with an estimated $6.1 million in its sixth weekend.