The tennis-themed drama "Challengers" took the top spot at the box office this weekend, raking in an impressive $15 million in ticket sales. The film, directed by Luca Guadagnino and starring Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O'Connor, opened in 3,477 locations in the U.S. and Canada.
Women made up the majority of ticket buyers at 58%, with a younger demographic of 18 to 24-year-olds making up 41% of the audience. Large format screens, including IMAX, contributed significantly to the opening weekend grosses, accounting for about 40% of the total box office revenue.
Zendaya's star power played a significant role in attracting audiences to the film, with 55% of viewers citing her as the reason for attending. Zendaya's previous roles in successful franchises such as "Spider-Man" and "Dune" have helped establish her as a box office draw.
The positive reviews and strong audience reception for "Challengers" have positioned it as a potential hit for Amazon Studios and MGM. The film currently holds an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and received a B+ CinemaScore from opening day audiences.
In second place at the box office was the faith-based film "Unsung Hero," which earned an estimated $7.8 million from 2,832 locations. The Lionsgate production, directed by Joel Smallbone, received rare high marks from audiences with an A+ CinemaScore and a 100% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Overall, the box office landscape is showing promise with a diverse range of films resonating with audiences. As the summer movie season approaches, moviegoers can look forward to new releases such as the action-comedy "The Fall Guy" starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt.
While the box office numbers may not reach the heights of previous years, industry analysts emphasize the importance of establishing audience goodwill and delivering innovative and critically acclaimed films to attract moviegoers.