HOLLYWOOD — "Aladdin" apparently still has the old magic, as the new Disney film took in an estimated $86.1 million in the Friday-to-Sunday period in North America to lead all box-office offerings, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported.
The film, released on the US's four-day Memorial Day weekend, is expected to earn $105 million when Monday's ticket sales are included, well beyond earlier estimates of around $80 million, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
The live-action movie, directed by Guy Ritchie, stars Will Smith as the genie and the Egyptian-born Canadian actor Mena Massoud as the wily charmer who pretends to be a prince to catch the attention of the lovely Jasmine (Naomi Scott).
The new version is an adaptation of Disney's 1992 "Aladdin," which featured the unforgettable voice of Robin Williams as the fast-talking genie (and the less well-known actor Scott Weinger as Aladdin).
Last week's box-office leader, Lionsgate's "John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum," slipped to second, taking in $24.4 million for three days ($30.5 million for four).
Keanu Reaves again stars as retired hitman John Wick, this time being chased by an army of killers after a contract is put on his head. Also starring are Halle Berry, Laurence Fishburne, Ian McShane and Anjelica Huston.
In third was Disney blockbuster "Avengers: Endgame," taking in an estimated $16.8 million for three days ($21.9 million for four).
"Avengers," with an all-star cast including Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Bradley Cooper, Scarlett Johansson and Josh Brolin, has broken domestic records but, with a worldwide take of $2.68 billion, is still shy of the $2.79 billion earned by all-time leader "Avatar" in 2009.
Fourth place went to Warner Bros.' "Pokemon: Detective Pikachu," at $13.3 million ($17 million). Its animated title character (voiced by Ryan Reynolds) teams up with a young boy (Justice Smith, in a live-action role) to seek the boy's missing father.
And in fifth was new Sony horror thriller "Brightburn," at $7.5 million ($9 million). Elizabeth Banks, David Denman and Jackson A. Dunn star in the story of an alien tot who arrives on Earth and realizes, as he grows up on a Kansas farm, that he has superpowers.
Together with The Walt Disney Company Philippines, SM Cinema opened the streets of Agrabah to mall-goers and movie fans alike with The Magic of Aladdin at the SM City North Edsa. Everyone can get a chance to go around the country in their magical exhibit until May 31 at the SM North EDSA The Block Atrium.
Step into the streets of Agrabah when you see the grand entrance arch to the marketplace. Enter the mystery-filled Cave of Wonders and try your hand in getting the Magic Lamp to meet the Genie. Next stop, make your musical entrance to the Streets of Agrabah when you ride Aladdin’s camel and take in the sights of the country. Get in the shoes of the Sultan when you snap your photos at the Sultan’s Palace.
Disney’s live-action adaptation of "Aladdin" tells the story of Aladdin (Mena Massoud), a kindhearted street urchin, and power-hungry Grand VizierJafar (Marwan Kenzari) as they vie for a magic lamp that has the power to make their deepest wishes come true. — Video from Disney