Just say 'Shazam!' and the movie fans start lining up
'Shazam!' toped the North American box office with estimated ticket sales of $53.4 million.
LOS ANGELES (AFP) - With estimated ticket sales of $53.4 million in its opening weekend, Warner Bros. "Shazam!" showed that North American movie fans can enjoy a lighter spin on the usual dark superhero tale, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.
The family-friendly flick stars young Asher Angel as Billy Baston, an unhappy foster kid who is transformed into a muscular, wise-cracking adult superhero (Zachary Levi) when anyone pronounces the secret word. Both the film s reviews and audience responses have been strongly positive, according to Hollywood Reporter.
Its domestic take for the three-day weekend was not a bad return on the $80 million Warner and New Line spent to make it -- particularly considering overseas ticket sales of $102 million so far.
Another new release, horror film "Pet Sematary" -- a remake of the 1989 film based on the Stephen King book -- had a solid $25 million in ticket sales, $4 million more than Paramount spent to produce it, Variety reported.
Jason Clarke, Amy Seimetz and John Lithgow star in the tale of a creepy burial ground deep in the Maine woods near a family s new home.
In third spot was last weekend s box office leader, Disney s "Dumbo," at $18.2 million, down 60 percent from its opening. The Tim Burton remake of the original 1941 film tells the story of a small elephant with huge ears and a powerful desire to be reunited with his mama.
Fourth place, at $13.8 million, went to Universal s "Us" from writer/director Jordan Peele. It stars Lupita Nyong o and Winston Duke as a couple frighteningly confronted by their own doubles.
And fifth was Disney s "Captain Marvel," taking in $12.7 million. Oscar winner Brie Larson stars as a former fighter pilot with superpowers.
