It’s a “Super Mario World,” and we’re just living in it.
Universal and Illumination’s “Super Mario Galaxy Movie” led the box office again on its second Friday in North American theaters, adding $17.5 million. The animated sequel is expected to gross $68.9 domestically by Sunday, a 48% drop from last weekend’s numbers.
“Galaxy’s” predecessor, 2023’s “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” pulled in $92.3 million domestically in its second weekend. However, that film had solid word of mouth (82% on Rotten Tomatoes), and the novelty of launching a new film franchise, two things “Super Mario Galaxy” must soldier on without. Still, $68.9 million in weekend two is nothing to scoff at. Domestic earnings should reach $308 million by Sunday.
Universal also ushered in this weekend’s newcomer “You, Me & Tuscany,” which took fourth place on Friday with $3.1 million domestically from 3,000 theaters. The film’s North American total should cap out around $8.3 million by Sunday.
“You, Me & Tuscany” follows Halle Bailey’s Anna, a woman who stays in an unattended Tuscan villa by posing as the real owner’s fiancée. However, her lie starts to unravel when she develops a romance with the owner’s cousin, played by Regé-Jean Page. Other cast members include Marco Calvani, Aziza Scott, Isabella Ferrari and Lorenzo de Moor. Kat Coiro directs with a script from Ryan and Kristin Engle.
Second place on Friday went to “Project Hail Mary,” which earned $6.8 million domestically. The sci-fi epic is expected to gross $26 million by Sunday, falling only 18%. After four weekends of release, the film is expected to have collected $258 million at the North American box office.
Third place went to A24’s “The Drama,” which made an estimated $2.8 million domestically on its second Friday in theaters. The film opened strong last weekend with $14 million, and is projected to add another $9.1 million by Sunday. Zendaya and Robert Pattinson star in Kristoffer Borgli’s rug-pull rom-com, which follows a soon-to-be-married couple whose relationship implodes after a shocking revelation.
Finally, in fifth place was Disney and Pixar’s “Hoopers,” which grossed $1.1 million on Friday domestically. It should chomp down on about $4 million by Sunday. Through four weeks of release, the animated adventure is projected to have earned $157 million in North America.
