The fantasy action film Mortal Kombat was vanquished over the weekend when it fell to number two at box office, with the upstart anime film Demon Slayer scoring a flawless victory.
The Japanese animated film earned $6.4 million in its second week, a 70 percent drop from last week, but still enough to win the week amid the moviegoing slump of the pandemic.
Demon Slayer also had the distinction of becoming the highest-grossing anime film ever, earning $423 million globally, according to Variety.
New champ: The Japanese anime film Demon Slayer was the top film at the weekend box office with $6.4 million in its second week, beating out Mortal Kombat, according to Variety; still from Demon Slayer
It’s also now the highest-grossing film ever in Japan, having earned $368 million there.
Demon Slayer has currently grossed $34.1 million in the US in its first two weeks, making it the third highest–grossing anime film in North America.
Mortal Kombat earned $6.2 million in its second week, a 73 percent drop that led it to a $34 million gross in the US.
Despite having what would normally be an anemic gross outside of the pandemic, the haul was still impressive, as the film was released simultaneously on HBO Max, so many subscribers who want to see the film won’t bother checking it out in a theater.
Success: Demon Slayer also had the distinction of becoming the highest-grossing anime film ever, earning $423 million globally; still from Demon Slayer
Down a peg: Mortal Kombat earned $6.2 million in its second week, a 73 percent drop that led it to a $34 million gross in the US
Fatality! The film debuted simultaneously on HBO Max and has performed poorly in international markets; still from Mortal Kombat
However, the film has performed poorly in international markets without HBO Max, suggestion the video game flick may have limited appeal.
Worldwide, Mortal Kombat has grossed $66 million.
The relatively small grosses might be worrying, but Comscore Senior Box Office Analyst Paul Dergarabedian points out that only 57 percent of theaters are currently open.
‘It should come as no surprise that as the theatrical marketplace finds its footing, the box office will naturally move in fits and starts,’ he said.
Beastly: The monster movie Godzilla Vs. Kong has continued to be a dominant force with its third-place finish and $2.74 million for $90.3 million total in the US
Pay up: The film has also been available to HBO Max subscribers for several weeks, though it’s now no longer available for free; still from Godzilla Vs. Kong
The monster movie Godzilla Vs. Kong has continued to be a dominant force with its third-place finish.
The kaiju thriller earned a respectable $2.74 million in its fifth week for a domestic total of $90.3 million.
It has also proven to be massively popular outside of the US, earning a worldwide total of $415 million.
The film has also been available to HBO Max subscribers for several weeks, though it’s now no longer available for free.
Exceeds expectations: The horror film Separation earned a respectable $1.8 million in the US in its first week despite horrible reviews lambasting it as ‘misogynistic’
The horror film Separation earned a respectable $1.8 million in the US in its first week.
The film was lambasted by critics, with those surveyed by Rotten Tomatoes giving it a paltry 11 percent rotten rating.
RogerEbert.com‘s Brian Tallerico described the film as an ‘atrocious piece of work’ and a ‘viciously misogynistic film.’
Disney’s Raya And The Last Dragon has held on at number five with $1.33 million, for a total of $41.5 million, which would normally be a disappointment for Disney film.
Good enough: Disney’s Raya And The Last Dragon has held on at number five with $1.33 million, for a total of $41.5 million, which would normally be a disappointment for Disney film
Strong showing: Better Call Saul star Bob Odenkirk’s John Wick–inspired action film Nobody continues to punch above its weight with $1.26 million and a $23.3 million domestic total against a $16 million budget
Better Call Saul star Bob Odenkirk’s John Wick–inspired action film Nobody continues to punch above its weight with $1.26 million and a $23.3 million domestic total against a $16 million budget.
The Jeffrey Dean Morgan–starring supernatural horror film The Unholy followed in seventh place with $1.26 million in its sixth week in theaters.
The weak box office continues to allow rereleases to shine through, and Edgar Wright’s 2010 action comedy Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World earned $720K more for the eighth-place spot.
Respectable: The Jeffrey Dean Morgan–starring supernatural horror film The Unholy followed in seventh place with $1.26 million in its sixth week in theaters
Back in action: The weak box office has allowed rereleases to shine through, and Edgar Wright’s 2010 action comedy Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World earned $720K more
In ninth place was Warner Bros.’ animation and live-action hybrid Tom & Jerry, which grossed an additional $515K after only earning a 31 percent rotten score from critics surveyed by Rotten Tomatoes.
Rounding out the top 10 at the box office was the well-reviewed indie comedy Together Together, with Ed Helms and comedian Patti Harrison starring.
The film is notable for having Harrison, a transgender woman, playing a cisgender woman who serves as a surrogate mother for Helms’ character.
Top 10: Rounding out the top 10 at the box office was the well-reviewed indie comedy Together Together, which earned $313K
Breaking barriers: The film is notable for having Patti Harrison, a transgender woman, playing a cisgender woman who serves as a surrogate mother for Ed Helms’ character