This weekend, the sizzle of competitive sports and romance combined to dominate the cinematic courts as “Challengers,” the alluring tennis drama led by Zendaya, aced the competition with a commanding $15 million victory in ticket sales. According to the latest studio estimates released on Sunday, the film has proven that a formidable story with a star-packed cast is a formula that moviegoers are eager to line up for.
Helmed by the renowned Italian director Luca Guadagnino, the film serves as an original narrative within his distinguished oeuvre. “Challengers” launched its opening serve across 3,477 venues throughout the U.S. and Canada, drawing crowds with its tantalizing tale and sweeping global press tour featuring Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O’Connor.
Amazon Studios and MGM, who share the joy of releasing the film, revealed through head of theatrical distribution Kevin Wilson, “We’re obviously very, very happy with the number. Looking at the audience who showed up, it’s really encouraging. It’s not the easiest audience to get to theaters.” The demographic data indicated a youthful and feminine tilt in the audience, with women tallying at 58% of the ticket purchasers, and a notable 41% aged between 18 and 24 years.
Impressively, about 40% of the film’s opening weekend earnings were derived from large format screens, including IMAX, showcasing that audiences were seeking an immersive experience to enjoy the cinematic match.
Zendaya’s star power has played a pivotal role in drawing audiences to this movie event. An encouraging 55% of audiences reported through PostTrak exit polls by Deadline that the actor was a significant reason for their attendance. Furthermore, with the successful re-release of “Dune: Part Two” in IMAX, which bagged nearly $2 million, Zendaya-starring movies impressively constituted around 26% of the weekend’s total box office.
At 27, Zendaya has already become a seasoned player in Hollywood, participating in mega-franchises such as Spider-Man and Dune. While those were high-profile but supporting roles within large brand-name sagas, “Challengers” serves as the first major litmus test for her ability to single-handedly “open” a movie. The stakes were high, but neither MGM nor Amazon Studios were willing to take a chance without Zendaya’s magnetic pull, enhanced by her headline-grabbing fashion statements on the red carpet.
Critics have embraced “Challengers” warmly, with many giving a thumbs-up to its R-rated content that teases a passionate and competitive love triangle amongst the tennis stars. Currently, the film boasts an 88% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has received a solid B+ CinemaScore from audiences on its opening day.
While “Challengers” emerged as the undisputed champion of the box office, the race for the remaining spots was spirited. The faith-based biopic, “Unsung Hero,” secured second place with an estimated $7.8 million from 2,832 viewing spots, narrating the inspiring true story of the Smallbone family’s rise within the country music scene. Featuring Joel Smallbone as director, co-writer, and playing the role of his father David, the film has struck a chord with its intended audience.
Further down the list, “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” sustained its strong showing in third place, capturing an additional $7.2 million in its fifth week. The independent feature “Civil War” from A24 secured fourth with a robust $56.2 million cumulative domestic total, and the top five was rounded out by the chilling tale “Abigail,” which added $5.3 million to its own haul.
The passion for English and world cinema is clearly evident, and weekends like these underscore the diverse tastes and preferences of moviegoers, from heart-stopping sports dramas to historical epics and everything in between. What remains certain is that the allure of the big screen continues to draw audiences for a shared experience of storytelling and spectacle.
