The U.K. and Ireland school half-term holidays have seen a shift in box office dynamics, with family-friendly films taking centre stage. Paramount’s ‘IF’ surged to the top of the charts, demonstrating the audience’s preference for heartwarming and family-oriented entertainment.
In its third weekend, ‘IF’ grossed an impressive £1.5 million ($2 million), bringing its total earnings to £9.5 million ($12.2 million). This performance allowed it to claim the number one spot, showing its strong staying power at the box office.
Also Read: ‘IF’ Movie Review: The Most Imaginary Fun You Can Have!
Sony’s ‘The Garfield Movie’ also performed well, securing second place in its second weekend with £1.3 million. The beloved lasagna-loving cat has now amassed a total of £6.2 million, proving to be a hit among families and children.
Disney’s ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ continues to draw audiences in its fourth weekend. The film added £1 million to its earnings, bringing its total to £13.2 million, solidifying its position as a box office heavyweight.
Warner Bros.’ “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” experienced a significant drop, slipping to fourth place in its second weekend. The film earned £963,976, pushing its total to £4.5 million. Despite its initial strong start, it struggled to maintain its momentum against family films.
Universal’s ‘The Fall Guy’ rounded out the top five, taking in £524,320 in its fifth weekend. The action-comedy has accumulated a total of £11.1 million, maintaining a steady presence in the box office rankings.
This week saw three new entries shaking up the top 10. Warner Bros.’ 20th-anniversary re-release of “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” debuted in sixth place with £394,066. The nostalgia-driven re-release drew in fans of the beloved franchise, demonstrating the enduring popularity of the Harry Potter series.
Sony’s anime film ‘Haikyu!!: The Dumpster Battle’ premiered in seventh place, earning £270,095. The movie, based on the popular volleyball anime, attracted a dedicated fanbase eager to see their favourite characters on the big screen.
Studiocanal’s ‘Sting’ debuted in eighth place with £231,113, adding a new flavour to the diverse offerings at the box office this week.
Looking ahead, several highly anticipated releases are set to hit theatres. Sony’s ‘Bad Boys: Ride Or Die,’ starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, is slated for a midweek release on June 5. The latest instalment in the ‘Bad Boys’ franchise promises action-packed entertainment and is expected to make a significant impact at the box office.
Friday, June 7, will see a variety of new films debuting. Signature is releasing the Western ‘The Dead Don’t Hurt,’ directed by Viggo Mortensen and starring a stellar cast including Vicky Krieps and Solly McLeod. Warner Bros. will introduce the fantasy-horror ‘The Watched,’ directed by Ishana Night Shyamalan.
Other notable releases include Picturehouse Entertainment’s ‘Rosalie,’ Icon Film Distribution’s ‘Riddle of Fire,’ Modern Films’ ‘Four Little Adults,’ and Dogwoof’s ‘Food Inc 2,’ the sequel to the groundbreaking 2008 documentary.
ICA Cinemas is set to release ‘You Burn Me,’ which premiered at the Berlinale earlier this year. Altitude will debut ‘Winnie The Pooh: Blood And Honey 2,’ offering a unique twist on the classic character.
Park Circus is celebrating cinematic milestones with the 25th-anniversary rerelease of ‘The Matrix’ and the 10th-anniversary rerelease of ‘Pride,’ providing audiences with a chance to revisit these iconic films on the big screen.
-Gayathri J