Sony’s highly anticipated film, Karate Kid: Legends, has kicked off its box office run with an impressive $2.3 million from previews that began at 2 PM. This PG-13 movie marries the nostalgia of the original franchise with a modern twist, featuring beloved characters like Ralph Macchio’s Daniel-san and Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han. Fans of the series will also catch a glimpse of the infamous Cobra Kai gang, adding to the film's allure.
The initial forecast for Karate Kid: Legends suggests a box office take of between $25 million and $30 million. This comes at a time when Disney’s Lilo & Stitch is dominating the market, with projections pointing towards a potential $60 million in its second weekend. Additionally, Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning is also vying for attention, expected to hold its ground with around $32 million, particularly benefiting from IMAX screens.
Critically, Karate Kid: Legends has received mixed reviews, currently holding a rating of 55% on Rotten Tomatoes, slightly lower than the 2010 Jackie Chan iteration which stands at 67% fresh. However, audience reactions have been more favorable, as evidenced by a four-star rating on PostTrak, with a 68% recommendation rate from general audiences. Parents rated the film even higher, giving it 4.5 stars and a 63% recommendation rate, while kids under 12 rated it 4.5 stars with an impressive 79% must-see recommendation.
The demographic breakdown reveals that boys aged 10-12 constituted 64% of the audience under 12, a vital segment for the Cobra Kai fanbase. Overall, men made up 60% of the audience last night, indicating a strong male interest in the film. Karate Kid: Legends has already outperformed the $1.9 million in previews that Sony/Alcon's Garfield Movie reboot made last May, which went on to earn $24 million over its opening weekend.
Produced with a net budget of $45 million, Karate Kid: Legends has a higher production cost than the 2010 version by $5 million (not adjusted for inflation). The Karate Kid franchise, which spans 41 years, has grossed an impressive $620 million globally from five films, with the bulk of that revenue generated by Chan’s version, which alone made $359 million worldwide.
In other box office news, A24's horror film, Bring Her Back, garnered $850,000 in Thursday previews from 2,409 theaters that started at 4 PM. This figure is just shy of A24’s fall sleeper Heretic, which made $1.2 million in previews before achieving a $10.8 million opening. The Philippou twins, known for their previous hit Talk to Me, are under the spotlight with this release, which has received an 88% certified fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The pre-weekend outlook for Bring Her Back is estimated at $5 million to $7 million. Audience feedback shows a positive reception, particularly among female viewers over 25, who gave it an 83% approval rating. The Thursday audience was predominantly male, at 57%, but women enjoyed the film more overall, scoring it 83% compared to men’s 77% approval.
As for Lilo & Stitch, it concludes its first week with a remarkable $217 million across 4,410 theaters, after bringing in $9.2 million yesterday, marking a 9% drop from Wednesday. Despite its solid performance, the film is 15% behind Inside Out 2’s opening week of $255 million, which ultimately grossed $652.9 million. Comparatively, Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning is also faring well, with an estimated $95.3 million in its first week, outpacing previous entries in the franchise.
In summary, Karate Kid: Legends and A24's Bring Her Back are set to make waves this weekend, while the ongoing success of Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning highlights a competitive box office landscape. Stay tuned for more updates on these films as they continue to unfold.
