It turns out there is literally no target Keanu Reeves' John Wick can't take down, as the third installment in the super-assassin franchise sets its sights on Avengers: Endgame's box office dominance. John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum loaded up $22.6 million—including a great $5.9 million in Thursday night previews, the largest in Lionsgate history for a movie without Twilight or Hunger Games in the title—on its way to a debut in the $55-58 million range. Barring a miracle, Endgame will slide to number 2 for the weekend.
Parabellum sees Reeves return as the titular hitman for the third time, as a $14 million bounty on his head forces him to use everything at his disposal—including knives, an actual horse, and a library book—to fend off every killer in New York City. The film also stars Halle Berry, Ian McShane, Laurence Fishburne, and Asia Kate Dillon.
Again, that's not to say Avengers: Endgame movie is hurting for a profit. The massive Marvel movie, which took in another $7.3 million on its fourth Friday, is all but guaranteed to overtake Avatar on the all-time domestic box office list by the end of the weekend. Right now it sits at $748 million, compared to Avatar's $760 million. (Star Wars: The Force Awakens still holds the number 1 spot with $936 million.) Worldwide, gah, it's still so close; Endgame nudged its way up to $2.54 billion, knocking aggressively now at the door of Avatar's $2.74 billion.
Rounding out the top 3 for Friday night is Detective Pikachu with another $6.2 million, knocking newcomer A Dog's Journey to fourth with $2.5 million. A Dog's Journey, a sequel to 2017's A Dog's Purpose, is looking at a soft-as-fur $8.5 million premiere weekend. Fellow newcomer The Sun Is Also a Star, director Ry Russo-Young's romance at Warner Bros., opened in seventh on Friday night with $1.04 million, headed toward an estimated $2.6 million.
Take a look at Friday’s numbers below and check back tomorrow to see a few more records get broken. (Numbers via Box Office Mojo)
Rank |
Title |
Friday |
Total |
1. |
John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum |
$22,670,000 |
$22,670,000 |
2. |
Avengers: Endgame |
$7,371,000 |
$748,765,870 |
3. |
Pokemon Detective Pikachu |
$6,260,000 |
$75,446,846 |
4. |
A Dog's Journey |
$2,520,000 |
$2,520,000 |
5. |
The Hustle |
$1,813,050 |
$18,877,774 |