‘The Secret Life of Pets 2’ tops ‘Dark Phoenix,’ which has worst ever ‘X-Men’ opening

Both of the weekend’s new wide releases, Fox’s “Dark Phoenix� and Universal’s animated sequel “The Secret Life of Pets 2,� failed to entice moviegoers, flailing at the box office after a few weeks of great business from “Avengers: Endgame,� “John Wick 3� and “Aladdin.�

Despite oversize marketing efforts, Illumination Entertainment’s “The Secret Life of Pets 2� disappointed with just $47.1 million earned in the U.S. and Canada this weekend, below analyst projections of $50 million to $60 million, according to estimates from measurement firm Comscore.

Combined with $925,000 grossed through Fandango previews, it earned a cumulative $48 million, still less than half the original film’s $104.3 million opening in 2016 (it went on to earn $875.4 million globally).

The $80-million film earned an A- CinemaScore, but a 54% “rotten� rating on review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes. With Pixar’s “Toy Story 4� opening in two weeks, “Pets� has a limited window and its long-term franchise potential took a huge blow.

In second place, “Dark Phoenix,� the final entry in Fox’s X-Men Universe, opened with a dismal $33 million, becoming the first film in the franchise to open below $50 million.

The film was rejected by audiences and critics, registering a B- CinemaScore and a 22% “rotten� rating on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the worst reviewed film in the franchise as well as the lowest opening.

Though expected to earn between $40 million and $50 million, “Dark Phoenix� grossed about $30 million less than the disappointing $65.7 million opening of 2016’s “X-Men: Apocalypse.�

Internationally, “Dark Phoenix� earned $107 million for a global debut of $140 million, $14.1 million of which came from global IMAX ticket sales.

Despite the poor openings, the box office enjoyed another “up� weekend, grossing 37% more compared with this weekend last year.

At No. 3, Disney’s “Aladdin� added $24.5 million in its third weekend for a cumulative $232.4 million.

In fourth place, Warner Bros.’ “Godzilla: King of the Monsters� added $15.5 million in its second weekend (a sizable 67% drop) for a cumulative $78.6 million.

Rounding out the top five, Paramount’s “Rocketman� added $14 million in its second weekend (a 46% drop) for a cumulative $50.5 million.

In sixth place, Universal’s “Ma� added $7.8 million in its second weekend (a 57% drop), for a cumulative $32.8 million.

At No. 7, Lionsgate’s “John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum� added $7.4 million in its fourth weekend for a cumulative $138.7 million.

In eighth place, Disney’s “Avengers: Endgame� added $4.8 million in its seventh weekend for a cumulative $824.4 million.

At No. 9, Warner Bros.’ “Pokemon Detective Pikachu� added $3 million in its fifth weekend for a cumulative $137.4 million.

Rounding out the top 10, United Artist Releasing’s “Booksmart� added $1.6 million in its third weekend for a cumulative $17.8 million.

In limited release, Amazon Studio’s R-rated comedy “Late Night� opened in four locations to $249,654 for the year’s best specialty per-screen average of $62,414. The film stars Emma Thompson as a late night talk show host with Mindy Kaling playing her sole female staff writer. It earned an 81% “fresh� rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

A24’s critically acclaimed “The Last Black Man in San Francisco� opened in seven locations to $230,744 for a strong per-screen average of $32,963. The R-rated drama chronicles gentrification in the changing city and earned a 94% “fresh� rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

CBS Films’ documentary “Pavarotti� opened on 19 screens to $142,500 for a per-screen average of $7,500. The Ron Howard-directed film earned an 84% “fresh� rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

This week, the summer of sequels and re-imaginings continues with the opening of Sony and Columbia Pictures’ spinoff “Men in Black: International� and a Warner Bros. “Shaft� reboot.

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