It turns out there is literally no targetKeanu Reeves' John Wick can’t take down, as the third installment in the super-assassin franchise sets its sights onAvengers: Endgame’s box office dominance.John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellumloaded up $22.6 million—including a great $5.9 million in Thursday night previews, the largest in Lionsgate history for a movie withoutTwilightorHunger Gamesin the title—on its way to a debut in the $55-58 million range. Barring a miracle,Endgamewill slide to number 2 for the weekend.
Parabellumsees 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 starsHalle Berry,Ian McShane,Laurence Fishburne, andAsia Kate Dillon.
Again, that’s not to sayAvengers: Endgamemovie 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 overtakeAvataron the all-time domestic box office list by the end of the weekend. Right now it sits at $748 million, compared toAvatar’s $760 million. (Star Wars: The Force Awakensstill holds the number 1 spot with $936 million.) Worldwide, gah, it’s stillsoclose;Endgamenudged its way up to $2.54 billion, knocking aggressively now at the door ofAvatar’s $2.74 billion.
Rounding out the top 3 for Friday night isDetective Pikachuwith another $6.2 million, knocking newcomerA Dog’s Journeyto 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 newcomerThe Sun Is Also a Star, directorRy 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)
John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum
$22,670,000
Avengers: Endgame
$7,371,000
$748,765,870
Pokemon Detective Pikachu
$6,260,000
$75,446,846
A Dog’s Journey
$2,520,000
The Hustle
$1,813,050
$18,877,774
