The U.K. and Ireland box office witnessed a historic opening weekend as A24’s psychological horror “Backrooms” seized the top spot, grossing £4.2 million ($5.7 million).
The film delivered the biggest opening weekend in A24’s history for the territory.
Disney’s “The Mandalorian and Grogu” moved to second place in its sophomore frame, earning $3.5 million. The film has amassed a cumulative total of $15.2 million after 10 days in theaters.
Universal’s biographical musical drama “Michael” was at No. 3 during its sixth week of release. The film added $2.3 million to its lifetime haul, pushing its U.K. total to $64.7 million. The studio was also in fourth place with Curry Barker’s horror-romance “Obsession,” which collected $2.1 million in its third frame. The breakout genre hit has now grossed a cumulative $9.2 million.
Disney’s “The Devil Wears Prada 2” rounded out the top five in its fifth weekend, pulling in $1.1 million for a cumulative total of $43.3 million.
“The Sheep Detectives,” distributed by Sony, was sixth in its fourth frame, adding $957,622 to lift its cume to $11.2 million. Black Bear’s “Tuner,” starring Leo Woodall and Dustin Hoffman, opened at number seven with $486,660.
Universal’s “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” remained a steady chart fixture in eighth place during its ninth week, adding $298,387 to a total now standing at $51.2 million. Lionsgate U.K.’s John Carney musical comedy “Power Ballad,” starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas, debuted at number nine with $274,191.
Paramount’s supernatural horror “Passenger” completed the top 10 in its second week, collecting $199,478 for a cume of $1 million.
Looking ahead to the upcoming theatrical frame, the release schedule is anchored by highly anticipated live-action adaptation “Masters Of The Universe” from Sony Pictures. Directed by Travis Knight and based on the Mattel media franchise, the sword-and-sorcery epic stars Nicholas Galitzine alongside Camila Mendes, Jared Leto, and Idris Elba, launching in over 300 locations on Wednesday June 3.
Other new entries arriving on Friday June 5 include Paramount’s revival of the parody franchise “Scary Movie,” Peter Glanz’s “Savage House” from Paramount, starring Richard E. Grant and Claire Foy across 300+ locations, and Celyn Jones’s Welsh biopic “Madfabulous” from Icon. Zee Studios International is releasing Indian auteur Anurag Kashyap’s Toronto title “Bandar.”
Repertory and event options also diversify the weekend box office, including CinemaLive’s “Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show” on Sunday June 7, alongside Miracle Comms’ “Bonnie & Clive” and Piece Of Magic Entertainment’s “The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act.”
