Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog made a loud boom at the Presidents Day box office with a three-day domestic opening of $58 million, a record for a video game adaptation. The film’s projected four-day gross of $70 million is among the best showings ever for the long holiday weekend, which coincided this year with Valentine’s Day.
Previously, 2019’s Pokemon Detective Pikachu boasted the top North American debut for a video game adaptation with a three-day start of $54.3 million, not adjusted for inflation.
Overseas, Sonic the Hedgehog launched to a strong $43 million from its first 40 markets for a global bow of $101 million through Sunday, and $113 million through Monday. Top markets included Mexico ($6.7 million) and the U.K. ($6.2 million).
The $87 million film — which received an A CinemaScore — is based on the popular Sega video game and sees the titular character (voiced by Ben Schwartz) team up with a small-town sheriff (James Marsden) to battle the evil genius Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey).
Sonic the Hedgehog‘s better-than-expected launch is a big win for Paramount and director Jeff Fowler, who redesigned the character after a loud outcry from fans, even though it meant pushing the film’s release date.
Sonic quashed its next closest rival, Warner Bros. and DC’s Birds of Prey, which fell to No. 2 in its second weekend with an estimated $17 million over the three days and $19.9 million for the four-day frame. The troubled superhero pic tumbled 48 percent, a steep drop for a holiday weekend, to finish Monday with a domestic total of $62.2 million. Internationally, it took in $23 million in its sophomore outing for a foreign tally of $83.6 million.
(Excerpt) Read more in: The Hollywood Reporter