The Spider-Man spinoff film 'Kraven the Hunter' had a lackluster opening weekend in North American theaters, earning only $11 million. This performance marked one of the weakest debuts for a Marvel-related movie, falling short even of 'Madame Web.'
On the other hand, Warner Bros.' animated release 'The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim' made $4.6 million in its opening weekend. The film, set 183 years before the events of 'The Lord of the Rings' series, was produced to retain the rights to J.R.R. Tolkien's novels.
Continuing its successful run, 'Moana 2' topped the box office charts, adding $26.6 million domestically and $57.2 million internationally. The film has now grossed $717 million globally, making it the fourth highest-grossing movie of the year, surpassing 'Dune: Part Two.'
Meanwhile, 'Wicked' secured the second spot with $22.5 million in its fourth weekend, accumulating over $359 million in the U.S. and $500 million worldwide. 'Gladiator II' also maintained its momentum, earning $7.8 million and reaching a domestic total of $145.9 million in four weeks.
Despite these successes, 'Kraven the Hunter' joins a list of Sony's Spider-Man universe spinoffs that failed to resonate with audiences and critics, including 'Madame Web' and 'Morbius.' The exception remains the 'Venom' trilogy, which has grossed over $1.8 billion worldwide.
The R-rated 'Kraven the Hunter,' directed by J.C. Chandor, faced delays and challenges, ultimately receiving mixed reviews and a lukewarm audience response. Industry analysts suggest that spinoff characters may struggle to engage general audiences who seek familiarity.
Looking ahead, the box office anticipates the release of highly anticipated films like 'Mufasa' and 'Sonic the Hedgehog 3,' alongside a diverse lineup of arthouse and adult-oriented movies.
Despite a slow start earlier in the year, the box office has shown signs of recovery, with the current deficit standing at 4.8% compared to the previous year. Final weekend box office figures will be released on Monday, providing a comprehensive overview of the industry's performance.