The sexy tennis drama “ Challengers ” won the box office this weekend with $15 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.
Zendaya and castmates Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor have been on a globetrotting press tour to get the word out about Italian director Luca Guadagnino's original film, which opened in 3,477 locations in the U.S. and Canada.
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The sexy tennis drama “ Challengers ” won the box office this weekend with $15 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.
This image released by Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures shows Zendaya in a scene from "Challengers." (Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures via AP)
This image released by Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures shows Mike Faist, from left, Zendaya and Josh O'Connor in a scene from "Challengers." (Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures via AP)
From left, Josh O'Connor, Zendaya and Mike Faist, cast members in "Challengers," pose together at the premiere of the film at the Regency Village Theatre, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Zendaya, a cast member in "Challengers," poses at the premiere of the film at the Regency Village Theatre, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Zendaya, a cast member in "Challengers," poses at the premiere of the film at the Regency Village Theatre, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
“We’re obviously very, very happy with the number,” said Kevin Wilson, who heads theatrical distribution for Amazon Studios and MGM. “Looking at the audience who showed up, it’s really encouraging. It’s not the easiest audience to get to theaters.”
Women made up 58% of ticket buyers, who also skewed younger overall: 41% were between the ages of 18 and 24.
Ticket sales from large format screens, including IMAX, made up about 40% of the opening weekend grosses. According to PostTrak exit poll reported by Deadline, 55% of audiences said they went to see the film because of Zendaya. In fact, this weekend, Zendaya movies accounted for around 26% of the overall box office with the re-release of “ Dune: Part Two ” in IMAX, which made nearly $2 million.
The 27-year-old actor has been part of some of the most successful franchises of the last few years, including the “Spider-Man” and “Dune” movies. In both cases those were supporting roles in massive brand-name properties, but her eye-catching red carpet looks also often make headlines. “Challengers” would be the first real test of her ability to “open” a film on her own star and MGM and Amazon were not going to risk doing it without her.
The studio had originally planned to release “Challengers” in the fall of 2023, with a picturesque launch at the Venice Film Festival. But when the actors went on strike last July, the studio made the decision to scuttle the festival premiere and move the film to this weekend when they could safely assume the strike would be resolved. Zendaya sported many tennis-themed looks, styled by Law Roach, for her appearances.
“It would be hard to argue that we should have released this movie when she wasn’t able to support,” Wilson said.
He gave special credit to the studio’s publicity and marketing teams for orchestrating a world tour that resulted in several viral fashion moments.
Reviews have been largely positive for the R-rated movie, which teases a steamy and competitive love triangle between the tennis players. It currently has an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and got a B+ CinemaScore from opening day audiences.
Guadagnino’s last film “ Bones and All,” starring Zendaya’s “Dune” co-star Timothée Chalamet, made $15.2 million in its entire run. By midweek, “Challengers” expected to surpass “Call Me By Your Name” ($18 million) to become Guadagnino's highest grossing film.
For Amazon MGM Studios, the value also extends beyond the box office driving a “downstream value” for Amazon, including when “Challengers” eventually makes its way to Prime Video.
“I’ve always believed that theatrical is the best way to launch some of these films,” Wilson said. “When this thing gets to Prime Video, it’s obviously going to perform at a level that would be much greater than had it just gone directly to the platform. Theatrical is only a piece of it.”
Second place went to the faith-based film “Unsung Hero,” which made an estimated $7.8 million from 2,832 locations. It’s based on the true story of the Smallbone family, and the rise of their children Rebecca St. James, and sons Joel and David (for KING + COUNTRY) in the country music scene. Joel Smallbone directed, co-wrote and portrays his father David.
The Lionsgate film, which was made for only $6 million, scored a rare A+ CinemaScore and has a 100% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The critic’s score is a much more tempered 58%. Audiences were overwhelmingly female (69%) and over 25 (91%).
Third place went to “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” with $7.2 million in its fifth weekend. In fourth place, A24's “Civil War” also added $7 million in its third weekend, bringing its domestic total to $56.2 million. And rounding out the top five was the horror movie “Abigail” with $5.3 million.
“April of 2024 provided an opportunity for interesting, innovative and critically acclaimed films to be at the top of the box office,” said Paul Dergarabedian, the senior media analyst for Comscore. “It was a great month for moviegoers looking for something beyond the typical summer blockbusters.”
The box office might not compare to last year when “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” was still dominating, but Dergarabedian said establishing audience goodwill is important as well.
Next weekend the summer movie season kicks off with the Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt action-comedy “ The Fall Guy.”
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.
1. “Challengers,” $15 million.
2. “Unsung Hero,” $7.8 million.
3. “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” $7.2 million.
4. “Civil War,” 7 million.
5. “Abigail,” $5.3 million.
6. “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,” $3.9 million
7. “Kung Fu Panda 4,” $3.6 million.
8. “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” $3.3 million.
9. “Dune: Part Two,” $2 million.
10. “Boy Kills World,” $1.7 million.
This image released by Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures shows Zendaya, left, and Josh O'Connor in a scene from "Challengers." (Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures via AP)
This image released by Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures shows Zendaya in a scene from "Challengers." (Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures via AP)
This image released by Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures shows Mike Faist, from left, Zendaya and Josh O'Connor in a scene from "Challengers." (Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures via AP)
From left, Josh O'Connor, Zendaya and Mike Faist, cast members in "Challengers," pose together at the premiere of the film at the Regency Village Theatre, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Zendaya, a cast member in "Challengers," poses at the premiere of the film at the Regency Village Theatre, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Zendaya, a cast member in "Challengers," poses at the premiere of the film at the Regency Village Theatre, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — It's going down to the wire.
Arsenal ensured the Premier League title race will go to the last day of the season after returning to the top of the standings with a 1-0 win at Manchester United on Sunday.
Leandro Trossard's 20th minute winner at Old Trafford means the Londoners will take defending champion Manchester City to the final round of games next Sunday.
“Today we wanted to really knock (at) that door and open that box of dreams and live the last and final day of the season in front of our people with the opportunity to win the Premier League,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. “Everything is at stake. We had no margin for error since January.”
Anything other than a win for Arsenal against United could have seen City clinch the title with victory at Tottenham on Tuesday. Arteta's team duly delivered and moved one point clear at the top.
Arsenal will host Everton in the final round, when City is at home against West Ham after Tuesday's game at Spurs.
For now, Arsenal has done all it could to keep the pressure on Pep Guardiola's team — improving on last season when it suffered a late collapse to allow City to wrap up a third successive title with three games to spare.
While the title is still in City's hands, it will have to win its remaining two games to be certain of a record fourth-straight English league title.
Arsenal is aiming to be crowned champion for the first time since 2004, when Arsene Wenger's team went an entire league campaign without defeat to earn the nickname of the “Invincibles.”
The current class cannot match that feat, but with 27 wins and 89 goals it has set two new club records in the Premier League era.
“That’s not progress, that’s history,” Arteta said. “That’s very difficult to do, especially in the league where we are playing now.”
The visit to Old Trafford always looked like Arsenal's biggest test during the run-in and history was not on its side, having won only once in its last 16 league games at the home of United. Despite that record, it was still the favorite to overcome a United team that had been ruthlessly exposed by Crystal Palace earlier in the week when routed 4-0 at Selhurst Park.
Casemiro, who had received heavy criticism for his performance as a makeshift center back against Palace, was culpable again for Arsenal's winner when he was slow to push up and played Kai Havertz onside. The Germany forward took advantage and drove into the box before crossing for Trossard to convert from close range.
With so much at stake, the tension appeared to get to Arsenal's players, who could not build on that early advantage and instead ceded long periods of possession to United.
Still, United rarely looked likely to open up its opponent and it was Arsenal that came closest to adding to its lead through substitute Gabriel Martinelli in the second half and Declan Rice.
UNITED SLUMP
Defeat for United was a latest blow for under-pressure manager Ten Hag, whose team lost for the 14th time in the league this season and extended a damaging run that has seen it win just one of its last eight games in England’s top division.
While Ten Hag has the FA Cup final against City to look forward to at the end of the season, there was little to encourage co-owner Jim Ratcliffe, who was in the crowd along with Keir Starmer, leader of Britain’s opposition Labour Party.
With two games remaining in the league, United is eighth in the standings and in danger of missing out on European soccer next season. United has never finished lower than seventh in the Premier League era.
But Ten Hag believes he still has the backing of the club's fans.
“They understand where we are and where this club is. We have so many injuries in key areas they (the fans) don’t get what (they) deserve, but they understand this and that is why they are behind the team," he said. “I think that is why they are with us, we are united and hopefully we can pay them back in the future.”
CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFFS
Norwich and Leeds drew 0-0 in the first leg of their Championship playoff semifinal on Sunday. And there was nothing to separate West Bromwich Albion and Southampton in the other semifinal after another goalless draw.
Leeds hosts Norwich in the second leg on Thursday and Southampton is at home against West Brom the following day. All four teams will hope they can produce more creativity and cutting edge in the second legs to secure a place in the final at Wembley on May 26.
WOMEN'S FA CUP FINAL
Manchester United won its first major trophy by routing Tottenham 4-0 in the Women’s FA Cup final at Wembley.
Ella Toone’s stunning long-range strike in first-half stoppage time set up victory for Marc Skinner’s team.
United cruised to victory after the break through two goals from Lucia Garcia and another from Rachel Williams.
James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
West Bromwich Albion's fans reacts after Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy made a save, during the English Football League Championship play-off, semi-final, first leg soccer match between West Bromwich Albion and Southampton, at The Hawthorns, in West Bromwich, England, Sunday May 12, 2024. (Jacob King/PA via AP)
Southampton's Adam Armstrong, left and West Bromwich Albion's Alex Mowatt vie for the ball, during the English Football League Championship play-off, semi-final, first leg soccer match between West Bromwich Albion and Southampton, at The Hawthorns, in West Bromwich, England, Sunday May 12, 2024. (Bradley CollyerPA via AP)
Leeds United's Crysencio Summerville, left, vies for the ball with Norwich City goalkeeper Angus Gunn during the English Football League Championship playoff, semi-final, first leg soccer match between Norwich and Leeds United, at Carrow Road, Norwich, England, Sunday May 12, 2024. In the race to secure the last promotion spot for the Premier League, Norwich and Leeds drew 0-0 in the first-leg of their Championship play-off semifinal on Sunday. (Steven Paston/PA via AP)
Manchester United fans on the stands celebrate after winning the Women's FA Cup final soccer match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, May 12, 2024. Manchester United won 4-0. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Manchester United manager Marc Skinner, center right, and player Millie Turner lift the trophy after winning the Women's FA Cup final soccer match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, May 12, 2024. Manchester United won 4-0. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Manchester United's Ella Toone celebrates at the end of the Women's FA Cup final soccer match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, May 12, 2024. Manchester United won 4-0. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Arsenal's Gabriel, left, challenges for the ball with Manchester United's Rasmus Hojlund during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Arsenal at the Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, May 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Labour Party leader Kier Starmer, right, gestures with Britain's former athlete Sebastian Coe on the tribune prior to the start of the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Arsenal at the Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, May 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Labour Party leader Kier Starmer smiles on the tribune during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Arsenal at the Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, May 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta, centre, gives instructions during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Arsenal at the Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, May 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Arsenal at the Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, May 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Manchester United's head coach Erik ten Hag gives instructions during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Arsenal at the Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, May 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Arsenal's Gabriel, left, challenges for the ball with Manchester United's Rasmus Hojlund during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Arsenal at the Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, May 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Arsenal's goalkeeper David Raya celebrates after his teammate Leandro Trossard scored his side's opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Arsenal at the Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, May 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Arsenal's Leandro Trossard, centre, scores his side's opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Arsenal at the Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, May 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
