Aladdin is wishing for a lucrative Memorial Day weekend and it looks like that wish may be granted given how well it did in Thursday night previews.
Disney’s latest live-action adaptation grossed $7 million in Thursday night previews that began officially at 6 PM yesterday, preceded by 5 PM fan events. That figure is exceedingly better than the Thursday night start for Dumbo, which only grossed $2.6 million for a $46 million weekend.
Critics seemed split on this one with the film bouncing between rotten (59%) and fresh (60-61%) depending on when you check out Rotten Tomatoes. Casual moviegoers, judging by last night exit polls, seem to be embracing the film. ComScore/Screen Engine PostTrack exits show general audiences giving Aladdin 4 1/2 stars and a solid 69% definite recommend. Females over 25 lead at 34% (98% positive grade), followed by females under 25 at 25% (97% grade), men over 25 at 21% (88%) and Men under 25 at 20% (83%). Parents gave the pic four stars after turning out at 12%, and kids under 12, who repped 20% of the crowd and loved it at 4 1/2 stars.
Aladdin‘s Thursday also bests that of Disney’s 2017 Memorial Day attempt Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales ($5.5 million off 7 PM shows for a $78.4 million four-day opening) as well as late May 2014’s live-action Sleeping Beauty spinoff Maleficent ($4.2 million previews from 9 PM and midnight, $69 million opening). Among the preview nights for the live-action remakes of Disney’s toons, Beauty and the Beast is still the fairest in the land with a huge $16.3 million from March 16, 2017 shows.
In other Thursday night preview news, Brightburn started decently with $950,000 last night from 7 PM shows at 2,257 locations. This film cost $6 million to make and is tracking for $8-10 million over 4-days. I was generous with $13 million which is still possible if word of mouth is good.
The critically acclaimed Booksmart also got off to a decent start in previews with $875,000. Considering it’s not the widest of this weekend’s releases, I think that’s a solid figure and will be one to watch this weekend.
