Doctor Strange was the much-needed jolt the box office needed as it opened at number one with an impressive $84.9 million. This is the tenth largest opening for a Marvel movie finishing just behind Thor: The Dark World, the only other film from the Marvel Cinematic Universe to open in November.
Compared to over single-character intros in the MCU, Doctor Strange dramatically outperformed Captain America: The First Avenger and Thor, which opened with $65 million and $66 million respectively, last year’s release of Ant-Man, which debuted with $57 million, and The Incredible Hulk, which opened with $55.4 million in June 2008. Only Iron Man, with $98.6 million ($102.1m including previews) back in Summer 2008, had a larger opening.
The number 2 film of the weekend, Trolls, also impressed with a $45.6 million opening. It’s clear that families were in the mood for a good animated film because it definitely got support on that front. It also looks like this will be a hit internationally as it has grossed $104 million over three weeks from overseas audiences and should continue to perform well here as it may be the top offering for families for the month of November.
Finishing in a distant third is Hacksaw Ridge with $14.75 million. I think this is still a solid start as films like this tend to have legs due to positive word of mouth and it appeals to an older demographic who will gradually see it over time. The film received an “A” CinemaScore from opening day audiences, though audiences over the age of 50 scored it an “A+”.
Check out the rest of the top ten below:
November 4-6
- Doctor Strange – $84.9 million
- Trolls – $45.6 million
- Hacksaw Ridge – $14.75 million
- Boo! A Madea Halloween– $7.8 million
- Inferno– $6.2 million
- The Accountant– $5.9 million
- Jack Reacher: Never Go Back– $5.5 million
- Ouija: Origin of Evil – $3.9 million
- The Girl on the Train– $2.7 million
- Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children – $2.1 million
