The Spider-Man spinoff film "Kraven the Hunter" had a disappointing opening weekend in North American theaters, earning only $11 million, according to studio estimates. This places it among the worst openings for a Marvel-related property. The film, starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, failed to attract audiences and faced criticism from both viewers and critics.
In contrast, Warner Bros.' animated film "The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim" made $4.6 million in its debut weekend. The movie, set 183 years before the events of the "Lord of the Rings" films, was created to maintain the rights to Tolkien's novels. This project has been fast-tracked by Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens, who are also working on future live-action films for the franchise.
At the top of the box office charts were "Moana 2" and "Wicked," which continue to perform well. "Moana 2" added $26.6 million to its domestic total, bringing its global tally to $717 million. "Wicked" earned $22.5 million in its fourth weekend, surpassing $359 million domestically and over $500 million worldwide.
Despite the success of other films, "Kraven the Hunter" struggled to connect with audiences and critics. The R-rated film, directed by J.C. Chandor, faced delays and cost a reported $110 million to produce. Its international earnings were $15 million, but its potential for long-term success seems limited due to negative reviews and audience reactions.
Overall, the box office has shown signs of recovery since June, with the deficit now standing at 4.8%. Several upcoming releases, including "Mufasa" and "Sonic the Hedgehog 3," are expected to contribute to the box office rebound in the coming weeks. The final domestic figures for the weekend will be released on Monday.