HOLLYWOOD—Well a new titan reigns supreme at the box-office. The sequel “Kung Fu Panda 3” rose to the top spot at the box-office earning $41 million; that is the highest debut so far for the year 2016. While the debut was big enough to claim the top spot, it does fall slightly compared to its predecessors: “Kung Fu Panda” earned $60.2 million in 2008 and “Kung Fu Panda 2” earned $47.4 million in 2011.
Proving that his star power is enough to draw in audiences is Leonardo DiCaprio and his frontier epic “The Revenant” which added another $12.4 million to its tally. After more than a month in the multiplex, the Oscar-nominated flick has grossed over $138 million, and is certain to cross the $150 million mark in the coming days. Landing in third place was “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” with $10.8 million. The latest installment in the franchise is nearing closer to that $900 million mark at the domestic box-office.
The sea disaster “The Finest Hours” did not impress moviegoers as much debuting in fourth place with only $10.3 million. Not a good sign for the Chris Pine and Casey Affleck drama which cost an estimated $70 million to make. Rounding out the top five was the comedy “Ride Along 2” with $8.3 million. The sequel has earned over $70 million at the domestic box-office since its debut.
This weekend sees the release of another Nicholas Sparks adapted novel in “The Choice,” which will do battle with “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” and the George Clooney comedy “Hail, Caesar.” Looks like “Kung Fu Panda 3” will remain at the top spot at the box-office.