Paramount’s new musical biography “Bob Marley: One Love” dominated the box office in North America this weekend, collecting an estimated $27.7 million, industry watchdog Exhibitor Relations said Sunday.
“This is an excellent opening for a musical biography,” analyst David A. Gross said, adding that the picture was faring better with audiences than critics.
Kingsley Ben-Adir, a British actor, previously gained attention for his depiction of Malcolm X in “One Night in Miami.” He now plays the legendary reggae musician in the story of his quick rise and untimely demise.
Rita Marley is played by Lashana Lynch, and her son Ziggy Marley serves as one of the film’s producers.
Another new picture, the Sony/Marvel superhero thriller “Madame Web,” took second place from Friday to Sunday, grossing $15.2 million.
Analysts deemed it a disappointing debut, given the film’s $80 million production budget and a mere 13 percent positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
According to Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research, the days of “plucking a character from a popular superhero movie and making a hit film about them” are over.
Dakota Johnson plays the titular Madame Web, a paramedic with psychic abilities, in this fourth installment of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe franchise.
Universal’s spy thriller “Argylle,” which earned $4.7 million, fell to third place from first place the previous weekend. According to Variety, the film has already grossed $36.4 million domestically, which is “tragic” for a $200 million budget.
Universal’s family-friendly animation “Migration,” which earned $3.8 million in its fifth weekend, came in fourth place.
The fifth chapter of Fathom Events’ account of Jesus Christ’s life was “The Chosen: S4, EP 4-6.” It grossed $3.4 million.
In its tenth week, Warner Bros.’ musical “Wonka” dropped out of the top five, although it still managed to gross $600 million globally.
Rounding out the top 10 were:
“Wonka” ($3.4 million)
“The Beekeeper” ($3.3 million)
“Anyone But You” ($2.4 million)
“Lisa Frankenstein” ($2 million)
“Land of Bad” ($1.8 million)