Wonder Woman 1984 used its lasso of truth to rope in $5.5 million over the New Year’s holiday, despite only appearing in 2,151 locations across the United States.
The sequel also ensnared another $10.1 million from overseas markets, bringing its global total to $118.5 million, after it was delayed numerous times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While that’s not a disastrous figure given how much coronavirus has upended the movie business, it does represent a steep 67% drop domestically and is a far cry from the grosses of pre-pandemic blockbusters.
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Stateside, Wonder Woman 1984 has earned $28.5 million.
The superhero sequel, which is currently getting some social media backlash for not rising to the level of its beloved predecessor, is being simultaneously released on HBO Max in a bid to bolster the WarnerMedia streaming service and as a concession to a global health crisis that’s left the theatrical distribution landscape severely diminished.
The company has issued some vague numbers touting Wonder Woman 1984’s popularity on HBO Max, but little in the way of hard data.
It did announce that Gal Gadot and director Patty Jenkins will reunite for a third film in the franchise, a sign that it believes the Amazonian warrior is a vital part of its plans for growing its DC cinematic universe.
Wonder Woman 1984 is the highest-grossing theatrical release of the pandemic.
While it’s a drop in the ocean compared to the more than $100 million openings generated by the original 2017 Wonder Woman film, it’s still judged a success by Warner Bros. given that only 35 per cent of cinemas in the U.S. are open.
According to Variety, the bulk of ticket sales in the U.S. came from private watch parties, with customers renting out screening rooms at cinema chains for around $100 a time.
The sequel, which cost about $200 million to make, had been expected to approach $1 billion in box office receipts before the pandemic. It is on track to make about $180 million, the outlet reported last weekend.
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