North American moviegoers again showed their love of action comedies this weekend as new release The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard shot to the top of the box office, taking in an estimated $11.7 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported.
Total takes remain pale compared to their pre-pandemic levels, but Hollywood watchers have taken heart in the progressive reopening of theaters and the lifting of capacity limits in many cities.
As a sequel to Lionsgate’s popular The Hitman’s Bodyguard from 2017 — and with Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, and Salma Hayek reprising their leading roles — the new Bodyguard was expected to do well. But it will have to keep doing well to make up for its $70 million production cost, Variety said.
Last week’s box office leader A Quiet Place: Part II — hovering at or near the top since its release four weeks ago — slipped slightly to second spot, taking in $9.4 million for the three-day weekend. The Paramount horror flick about ferocious unseen monsters stars Emily Blunt. Her husband John Krasinski directs.
In third was Sony’s family-friendly Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway, at $6.1 million. Fourth spot went to another horror movie, Warner Bros.’ The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, at $5.2 million. And in fifth was Disney’s family-friendly Cruella, at $5.1 million.