The world according to Dan.

‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’ swings to massive $185 million Fourth of July weekend

The box office’s spidey senses are tingling.

Sony’s Spider-Man: Far From Home catches a sizable box office crown in its web over its six-day Fourth of July release. Since its debut Tuesday night, the film has raked in an estimated $185 million across 4,634 theaters. Its total for the weekend is $93.6 million, a near record for the Fourth of July weekend coming in just behind 2011’s Transformers: Dark of the Moon weekend total of $97.9 million. However, it does mark the biggest six-day July Fourth opening of all time, beating another web-slinging title Spider-Man 2 for the title.

Second and third place go to two holdovers with Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 4, which holds steady in second place with an estimated $34.3 million across 4,540 theaters. Toy Story 4 now boasts a global total of $650 million to date. Musical Beatles fantasy Yesterday takes third place with an estimated $10.8 million across 2,614 theaters. It’s a solid hold for Yesterday in its second week, declining by only a minimal 37 percent from its opening weekend.

Spider-Man: Far From Home is a triumph at both the global and domestic box office, marking the best six-day opening for a Sony film in history. The film is a follow up to 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming and features Tom Holland returning as the earnest Peter Parker, aka your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, as well as Zendaya reprising her role as love interest MJ. The film picks up after the events of this spring’s Avengers: Endgame as Peter Parker attempts to adjust to life post-snap without Iron Man and several other trusted Avengers. It is the final entry in Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film also features Jon Favreau, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Keaton, Marisa Tomei, Jake Gyllenhaal, Martin Starr, Michael Mando, and Cobie Smulders. Jon Watts returns to direct this follow-up to his 2017 spidey film.

The partnership between Sony and Disney-owned Marvel marked a major boost for a listless summer box office, coming in ahead of expectations. It also easily swings past 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming three-day opening of $117 million. Combining its international debut of $395 million with its domestic earnings, the latest Spider-Man film boasts a global total of $580 million. With the added bonus of a six-day opening scheme, the film marks the highest debut for any Spider-Man film ever made. Its likely to keep netting high totals over the coming weeks given extremely positive reviews and a sterling A CinemaScore.

This long holiday weekend’s other new release also exceeded expectations. A24’s Midsommar, another title from lauded Hereditary director Ari Aster, takes sixth place with an estimated $6.7 million across 2,707 theaters for the weekend and a total of $10.9 million in ticket sales since its Wednesday debut. Counting the full five days, A24 say this marks the best debut for an indie film in 2019.

The horror flick follows a group of vacationers whose Swedish holiday takes a sinister turn when villagers invite them to join in traditional solstice festivities that grow increasingly disturbing and bizarre. Will Poulter, Jack Reynor, Florence Pugh, Ellora Torchia, William Jackson Harper, Vilhelm Blomgranand Archie Madekwe star from a script by Aster. Despite positive reviews, the film is not resonating with audiences, earning a dismal C+ CinemaScore.

Rounding out the top five are two holdovers — horror sequel Annabelle Comes Home and Disney’s live action update of Aladdin. In its second week in theaters, Annabelle Comes Home takes fourth place with an estimated $9.8 million in ticket sale. After seven weeks in the box office, Disney’s Aladdin continues to be a monster success for the studio, taking fifth place with an estimated $7.6 million across 2,758 theaters. Its worldwide total is gradually approaching the billion dollar mark, now boasting a global haul of $921.7 million.

Overall box office is down 8.4 percent to date, according to Comscore, an improvement by an entire percentage point from last weekend thanks to the high Spider-Man returns. Check out the July 5-7 numbers below.

1. Spider-Man: Far From Home — $93.6 million
2. Toy Story 4 — $34.3 million
3. Yesterday — $10.8 million
4. Annabelle Comes Home— $9.8 million
5. Aladdin — $7.6 million
6. Midsommar — $6.7 million
7. The Secret Life of Pets 2— $4.8 million
8. Men In Black International— $3.6 million
9. Avengers: Endgame — $3.1 million
10. Rocketman— $2.8 million

Toy Story 4 takes second consecutive box office victory in sluggish summer weekend

The battle of the toys at the box office continues — and Toy Story 4 emerges victorious once again.

After coming in ahead of the Child’s Play remake on both of their opening weekends, now Toy Story 4 beats out haunted toy horror flick Annabelle Comes Home for a second consecutive weekend in the number one box office slot. The Disney-Pixar franchise film wins the weekend with an estimated $57.9 million in ticket sales across 4,575 theaters. Two new releases round out the top three with horror franchise entry Annabelle Comes Home taking second place with an estimated $20.4 million in ticket sales and Beatles-musical fantasy Yesterday landing in third place with an estimated $17 million take.

Though Toy Story 4 fell by 52 percent in its second weekend, it still is raking in impressive numbers, posting an estimated cumulative domestic total of $236.9 million in only two weeks in theaters. The continued adventures of Buzz and Woody are performing well overseas, bringing the animated film’s global total to $496.5 million.

Annabelle Comes Home debuts in second place in keeping with expectations for the New Line horror entry. This is the third entry in the Annabelle franchise, an extension of the Conjuring Universe, after 2014’s Annabelle and 2017’s Annabelle: Creation. With an opening weekend total of $20.4 million, it marks the lowest opening for any film in the Conjuring franchise, including both previous Annabelle titles which opened to $37.1 million and $35 million respectively.

The R-rated Warner Bros. title finds Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga reprising their roles as Ed and Lorraine Warren from the Conjuring films, and it also stars Mckenna Grace, Steve Coulter, Katie Sarife, and Madison Isema. As one might expect, the film follows the horrific turn of events when Ed and Lorraine welcome the demonic doll known as Annabelle into their home. Gary Dauberman, who wrote the first two Annabelle films, makes directorial debut. Neither critics nor audiences have responded warmly to the film with tepid reviews and a disappointing B- CinemaScore.

Despite the clear franchise fatigue that has been driving box office numbers lower this summer, original title Yesterday lands in third place with an estimated $17 million in ticket sales. The title exceeded expectations, marking a win for fresh material at a box office dominated by franchise entries and remakes. It also marks director Danny Boyle’s best opening ever, coming in ahead of 2000’s The Beach opening take of $15.3 million.

With a script from rom-com vet Richard Curtis, Yesterday tells the story of Jack Malik (Hamish Patel), a young man who wakes up after an accident to find he’s the only person on Earth to remember the music of The Beatles. With the support of childhood friend Ellie (Lily James), he sets out to pass the songs off as his own in an attempt to gain the success he’s craved as a singer-songwriter. Kate McKinnon and Ed Sheeran (as himself!) also star. Despite mild reviews, the film seems to be clicking with audiences, earning a solid A- CinemaScore.

Two films continued to rake in global box office dollars to hit major milestones. John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum crossed the $300 million mark worldwide this weekend, while Avengers: Endgame returned to theaters in a renewed bid to pass Avatar as the highest-grossing film of all time. Avatar still holds the crown with a global total of $2.79 billion, but Avengers: Endgame is hot on its heels with a global total of $2.76 billion after adding $5.5 million to its stores this weekend.

Films in their sixth and fourth week of release respectively round out the top five for the weekend. Disney’s live action Aladdin continues to hold strong, adding $9.3 million to its total for fourth place at the box office. It now boasts a global total of $874.2 million, which makes it the highest-grossing film of Will Smith’s career on the global stage, surpassing his record of Independence Day’s $821 million haul. Animated sequel The Secret Life of Pets 2 completes the top five for the weekend, taking in $7.1 million in its fourth weekend in theaters.

Overall box office is down 9.5 percent to date, according to Comscore. With lackluster summer returns, this number continues to creep back up after Avengers: Endgame knocked it down significantly earlier this year. Check out the June 28-30 numbers below.

1. Toy Story 4 — $57.9 million
2. Annabelle Comes Home — $20.4 million
3. Yesterday — $17 million
4. Aladdin— $9.3 million
5. Secret Life of Pets 2 — $7.1 million
6. Men In Black: International — $6.6 million
7. Avengers: Endgame — $5.5 million
8. Child’s Play— $4.3 million
9. Rocketman — $3.9 million
10. John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum — $3.2 million

William Shatner would play Captain Kirk again for Tarantino — but don’t ask him to really go into space

William Shatner admits he’s not completely sold on the concept of alien life and he’s even passed up the chance to actually travel into outer space, but one opportunity he’d grab in an instant would be to return to the role of Captain James T. Kirk for Quentin Tarantino’s potential “Star Trek” film project.

“Oh my god — that would be extraordinary,” the 88-year-old star of the original 1966 “Star Trek” series told CNN before taking the stage at Alien Con in Los Angeles, one of the largest gatherings of alien life enthusiasts and experts. “That would be wonderful. He’s a dynamic director.”

“I’ve gotten to know Tarantino a little bit over the years,” Shatner revealed, having previously sounded off on social media in favor of the filmmaker bringing his famously R-rated sensibility to the 50-plus years old sci-fi franchise. “He flirted with the idea of my being in one of his movies, and I never did — I don’t know why. But what an extraordinary last trumpet note that would be. My goodness.”

On stage, Shatner joined his longtime friend Kevin Burns, producer of the History Channel’s popular “Ancient Aliens” series, which explores the theories surrounding the possibility of extraterrestrial visitations throughout the early history of the planet, for a discussion about the prospect of the existence of alien encounters. Given his most iconic role, the actor may have surprised the believers in the audience with his curious-but-skeptical stance on such speculation.

“I’m an agnostic,” he said backstage. “I’m intrigued by the subject… and so I’m looking forward to maybe making discoveries of my own in terms of information.”

Indeed, Shatner’s hosting History’s “The UnXplained,” a companion series produced by Burns which debuts July 19. The eight-episode anthology explores compelling mysteries of science.

Shatner’s personally interested in the science facts that may inform a sci-fi-esque future. He hasn’t shied away with associations with the latest technology, beyond his well-known mastery of Twitter, as his on-screen persona has led to close ties with bleeding edge innovations: his recent tech treks include a foray into cryptocurrency and being injected with stem cells.

“It’s my brand,” Shatner says. “So people come to me with futuristic ideas, and I’m thinking, ‘That’s good. If just one of these ideas exists in the future, my family will love it.’ They’ll have the benefit of it. It’s exciting to be part of it, so in a lot of cases, I’m becoming part of the company, against taking a salary.”

But not every futuristic opportunity appeals to Shatner: during the stage conversation, audience members who’ve equated the actor with the dashing starship captain he’s played over the years were bemused to learn just how reluctant he felt about boldly going where no one has gone before himself.

“I’ve been offered, from time to time, the ability to go into space, into the stratosphere,” Shatner revealed on stage. “And I’m thinking, ‘Do I want to leave the swimming pool?’ Do I want to jeopardize my life?”

Unabashedly concerned about the amount of things that need to go seamlessly right to travel to and back from space, Shatner recalled one instance in which he was offered a trip into the void, if he was willing to pay $250,000. Shatner’s response: “You give me $250,000!”

He does embrace the humanistic optimism baked into the DNA of “Star Trek” storytelling by franchise creator Gene Roddenberry. Asked if he was surprised that, even after five decades of the pro-tolerance, compromise-rich allegories of the “Trek” saga, the nation is currently so wildly divided on issues of inclusion, Shatner begs to differ.

“Look at the people who are running for president,” he says. “A diverse a group of people…Not only black and white, but gay. I mean, it’s extraordinary [compared to] even 10 years ago.”

“So yes, we’re polarized, but we’re being polarized,” he continues. “It doesn’t have to be that way, because I think the majority of people in this country and in the world believe that most people are good, most people want fairness. Most of the majority of human beings feel that way.”

Toy Story 4 not playing around with $118 million opening weekend

The toys did not come to play this weekend at the box office.

Child’s playthings were the talk of the box office with Pixar’s Toy Story 4 easily taking the top slot with an estimated $118 million in ticket sales across 4,575 theaters. And they weren’t the only toys with some box office mojo — horror remake Child’s Play takes second place with an estimated $14.1 million across 3,007 theaters.

Disney is having a fantastic year at the box office with the four best openings of the year, including animated sequel Toy Story 4. Much of the beloved Toy Story gang, including Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, return to voice the beloved toys who take us on adventures both amusing and heartbreaking. Toy Story 4 follows Woody (Hanks) as he sets out to domesticate new toy Forky (Tony Hale) and teach him the ways of being a toy the refuse-made spork believes he’s ‘trash’). Along the way, Woody reconnects with lost love Bo Peep (Annie Potts), as Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) and Jessie (Joan Cusack) mobilize at home to keep their kid Bonnie happy. Keanu Reeves, Christina Hendricks, Jordan Peele, and Keegan-Michael Key are among the other new voices joining the franchise.

Despite coming in slightly under expectations (projections had it at a $140 to $165 million opening), Toy Story 4 still earns some major box office credentials with its opening, becoming both only the third release of 2019 to cross $100 million in its first weekend, as well as one of the biggest animated openings of all time. Two other Pixar films top the list, 2018’s Incredibles 2 is number one with its $182.7 million opening and 2016’s Finding Dory is in second place with a $135.1 million opening. Toy Story 4 comes in just behind 2007’s Shrek the Third, which opened to $121.6 million.

It also bested its predecessor, 2010’s Toy Story 3, which opened to $110.3 million. Animated films aren’t necessarily known for boffo box office, but tend to show longevity, which means Toy Story 4 is likely to hold steady over the next few weeks. It also earned an estimated $120 million abroad this weekend, bringing its opening global total to $238 million. Generally favorable reviews and a terrific A CinemaScore suggest the film will maintain its box office success.

Another toy, murderous doll Chucky, takes second place with an estimated $14.1 million in ticket sales. Child’s Play is a remake of the 1988 sequel-spawning film. After moving to a new town, Andy (Gabriel Bateman) receives a new toy who quickly takes on a life of its own, and he must band with the neighborhood kids to stop the toy’s murderous intentions.

Mark Hamill (Star Wars) stars as the voice of Chucky, with Gabriel Bateman, Aubrey Plaza, and Brian Tyree Henry among the cast terrorized by the notorious plaything. Reviews for Child’s Play were not favorable and audiences agreed, giving it a dismal C+ CinemaScore.

This weekend’s other new release, Luc Besson’s Anna, failed to even hit the top 10 with a grim $3.5 million opening. It marks the worst opening for a Besson project; numerous women have alleged Besson’s sexual misconduct and when actress Sand Van Roy filed a complaint against Besson in May it delayed the release of this action thriller. Sasha Luss stars as Anna the assassin, while Luke Evans, Cillian Murphy, Helen Mirren and Alexander Petrov also feature.

Disney rounds out the top three with Aladdin taking third place in its fifth week in theaters. The live-action adaptation of the beloved animated film boasts a $12.2 million total across 3,435 theaters. The film now has an impressive global total of $810.1 million. Aladdin is the third highest-grossing film of 2019 thus far, with a domestic total of $287.5 million, coming in behind two Marvel titles Avengers: Endgame and Captain Marvel.

Rounding out the top five are two franchise titles. Fourth place goes to Men In Black International, taking in an estimated $10.8 million across 4,224 theaters. It’s already disappointing box office fell by 64 percent in only its second weekend in theaters. Another animated property takes fifth place with Universal’s Secret Life of Pets 2 pulling in an estimated $10.1 million in ticket sales across 3,804 theaters in its third weekend out.

Overall box office is down 8.9 percent to date, according to Comscore. Check out the June 21-23 numbers below.

1. Toy Story 4 — $118 million
2. Child’s Play — $14.1 million
3. Aladdin — $12.2 million
4. Men In Black International — $10.8 million
5. Secret Life of Pets 2 — $10.1 million
6. Rocketman — $5.7 million
7. John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum — $4.1 million
8. Godzilla: King of the Monsters— $3.7 million
9. Dark Phoenix — $3.6 million
10. Shaft — $3.6 million

Men in Black: International continues lackluster summer box office with $28.5 million opening

When it comes to the summer, people don’t seem to be turning to the multiplex to beat the heat.

Men in Black: International is the latest summer blockbuster to fail to stun audiences. The Men in Black franchise spin-off wins the weekend with an underwhelming estimated $28.5 million across 4,224 theaters. This falls far behind the last Men in Black film, 2002’s Men in Black II, which opened to $52.1 million.

This disappointing haul is part of a larger trend, however, with previous summer blockbusters Dark Phoenix and Godzilla: King of the Monsters also failing to generate much heat their first weekends out — Dark Phoenix faltered with a massively disappointing $33 million and Godzilla: King of the Monsters fared only slightly better with $47 million.

Rounding out the top three are two holdovers, The Secret Life of Pets 2 and Aladdin. Animated sequel The Secret Life of Pets 2 boasts an estimated $23.8 million across 4,564 theaters in its second weekend in theaters, while Disney’s live action update of Aladdin continues to make box office magic four weeks after its debut. Aladdin takes third place with an estimated $16.7 million across 3,556 theaters. The film is another winner for Disney in a year that’s included Captain Marvel and record-marking Avengers: Endgame. It now boasts an estimated $724.8 million haul worldwide.

Men in Black: International is a spin-off of the beloved franchise anchored by Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. The new film stars Tessa Thompson and Chris Hemsworth as Agent H and Agent M, respectively. The two partner up from inside the London Bureau of the secret organization dedicated to monitoring and taking down alien life forms that pose a threat to humanity. Here, they must attempt to locate and eliminate a mole within the Men in Black organization. Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Rafe Spall, Rebecca Ferguson, and Kumail Nanjiani also star, and F. Gary Gray (The Fate of the Furious) directs.

The film was never expected to reach the levels of box office success as its Will Smith fronted predecessors, but it’s garnered disappointing reviews from critics and a mediocre B CinemaScore from audiences.

This weekend’s other new release is Warner Bros.’ Shaft, the next chapter in the film franchise about the legendary New York City private detective. The newest entry in this storied franchise failed to wow, taking sixth place in its opening weekend with $8.3 million across 2,952 theaters. Shaft is a sequel to the 2000 film of the same name, which was itself a remake of the 1971 classic also named Shaft.

The latest film has Samuel L. Jackson reprising his role as John Shaft and teaming up with two generations of his family, his son J.J. Shaft (Jessie T. Usher) and father John Shaft Sr. (Richard Roundtree reprising his original role from the 1971 film). Method Man, Regina Hall, Alexandra Shipp, and Matt Lauria also star, while Tim Story directs. Critics were not jazzed about the film, but audiences loved it giving it a sterling A CinemaScore.

Mindy Kaling’s Late Night expanded to wide release this weekend, going from four locations last week to 2,220 this weekend. It lands in the ninth spot at the box office with an estimated $5.1 million in ticket sales, a slightly disappointing expansion giving its promising numbers in only four locations its first weekend out. Kaling, who also wrote the script, stars as female staff writer Molly who disrupts the boys’ club of the writers’ room and the life of late-night host Katherine Newbury (Emma Thompson).

Two other previous releases round out the top five. Dark Phoenix is fourth in its second weekend out, posting an estimated $9 million across 3,721 theaters. Director Simon Kinberg took responsibility for the film’s dismal box office numbers, saying, “That’s on me.” Musical Elton John biopic Rocketman solidly lands in fifth place in its third weekend of release with an estimated $8.8 million across 3,021 theaters.

Overall box office is down 7.1 percent to date, according to Comscore. This number has increased by two percent in a single week after steadily declining the last few months. Check out the June 14-16 numbers below.

1. Men in Black: International — $28.5 million
2. The Secret Life of Pets 2 — $23.8 million
3. Aladdin — $16.7 million
4. Dark Phoenix — $9 million
5. Rocketman — $8.8 million
6. Shaft — $8.3 million
7. Godzilla: King of the Monsters — $8.1 million
8. John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum — $6.1 million
9. Late Night — $5.1 million
10. Ma — $3.6 million