(AFP) – Los Angeles – Disney’s blockbuster Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, starring Marvel’s first main Asian protagonist, had a surprisingly strong $71.4 million debut in North America, according to industry watcher Exhibitor Relations on Sunday.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, that amount was a Labor Day weekend record, and the picture is anticipated to earn an extra $12.1 million on Monday.
“This is a terrific debut on a usually slow Labor Day weekend,” said Franchise Entertainment Research’s David A. Gross. “The three-day figure is a holiday record, a great finale to the summer… (marking) a sensational weekend for the industry.”
Simu Liu, a Canadian actor, stuntman, and former Deloitte accountant plays Marvel’s newest superhero, a former assassin who lives in the shadow of a wicked father in Shang-Chi. Awkwafina, Tony Leung, and Michelle Yeoh also appear.
The picture, which has received positive reviews for its choreography and Asian representation, had the second-largest opening of the year, trailing only Marvel’s Black Widow ($80 million).
In comparison, Universal’s horror picture Candyman took the top spot at the box office last weekend with only $22 million before falling to second place this weekend with a three-day gross of $10.6 million ($13 million for four days). Yahya Abdul-Mateen II stars in it.
This weekend, Free Guy from the 20th Century came in the third position with $8.7 million ($11.2 million for four days). Ryan Reynolds plays an ordinary bank teller who finds himself trapped within a massive computer game in the sci-fi comedy.
animate the mount PAW Patrol: The Movie finished fourth with $4 million ($5.2 million in four days). It depicts the narrative of a little kid and the heroic young pups who assist him in saving his city from an impeachable mayor.
And in fifth place came Disney’s family adventure picture Jungle Cruise, which earned $3.95 million ($5.2 million over four days).
