"Doctor Strange" prevailed Thursday night moviegoers as the filing of DreamWorks Animation's "Trolls" generated approximately $900,000 for Fox, and Mel Gibson's World War II drama "Hacksaw Ridge" took in $750,000 at over 2,200 North American locations for Lionsgate. The Marvel film on cinema ahead of Thursday night out-numbers for "X-Men: Apocalypse" ($8.2 million) and "Thor: The Dark World" ($7.1 million).
Marvel-Disney's "Doctor Strange" Has Launched With A Powerful Start At $9.4 Million In North America On Thursday Night Ratings
"Doctor Strange," starring Benedict Cumberbatch, has been presage to open to at least $70 million for the weekend as it debuts across 3,882 locations cinemas in the U.S. That's higher than the openings of three other Marvel titles that initiated a character - "Ant-Man" ($57.2 million), "Thor" ($65.7 million), and "Captain America: The First Avenger" ($65 million). It also will possibly top the $70 million taken in by the Bond film "Spectre," starring Daniel Craig, which opened on the same day a year ago.
Doctor Strange Topped $133 Million As Of Thursday From International Markets.
For Cumberbatch, "Doctor Strange" is his first role-playing into superhero turf. Reviews for the film have been superior with a current 90% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film topped the box office all over the world last weekend with $87.7 million and is increasing this weekend to 94% of the international market as it adds Russia, China and Brazil. "Doctor Strange" also stars Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Tilda Swinton, and is directed by Scott Derrickson ("Sinister"). It follows a brilliant surgeon who turns to mysticism following a deadly car accident.
"Doctor Strange" will screen across 3,530 3-D locations, including 379 Imax screens. The film carries a $165-million price tag. "Trolls," a big screen adventure based on the popular toy line, is eyeing a $38-million debut when it bows on 4,060 locations. The film should get a lift from the involvement of the Justin Timberlake song "Can't Stop the Feeling!" Timberlake also voices one of the dub characters, along with Anna Kendrick.
The film arched to a standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival and has produced stellar reviews with 87% on Rotten Tomatoes. "Hacksaw Ridge" should open to about $12 million this weekend.
