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“Dune: Part Two,” the latest film based on Frank Herbert’s science fiction books, racked up $81.5 million in ticket sales in the U.S. and Canada for the biggest box office debut this year
Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD), which is distributing the film in collaboration with Legendary Entertainment, he had expected a haul of 65 million dollars. Box Office Pro, owned by a theater industry trade association, had predicted this income of $80.9 million.
The opening was the biggest since the concert film “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” grossed $93.2 million in October.
Prior to the release of “Dune: Part 2,” ticket sales in North America were down 18% through Feb. 25.
Globally, the film grossed $178.5 million.
Nearly half of total domestic box office sales come from so-called premium large formats such as Imax 70mm, Imax Digital and Dolby Cinema. Tickets at these locations are typically priced higher than theaters with regular screens.
“Dune: Part One” released simultaneously in theaters and on the HBO Max streaming platform in 2021, when the coronavirus pandemic was impacting theater attendance.
Shares of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) are down 24% this year.