The animated film “The Super Mario Bros. The Movie,” produced by Universal, Nintendo and Illumination, debuted at No. 1 at the North American box office with $146 million, and could be the top game of the year.

Super Mario moviePhoto: Image Capital Pictures / Film Stills / Profimedia

The film surpassed Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantum of Solace ($106 million). It’s also the second-biggest debut for an animated film (surpassing Finding Dory’s $135.1 million debut in 2016) and the best debut for Enlightenment (more than Minions’ $115.7 million in 2015), writes Variety.

Mario appears in a feature film where he and his brother Luigi prepare to stop King Koopa from dominating the world. And in the cinemas of the United States and Canada, “the numbers are sensational”, analyzes David Gross of the company Franchise Entertainment Research.

According to him, the success of the film, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenich, is due to the attraction of a very diverse audience: children, as well as adults who are nostalgic for the most famous video game hero in history.

The plumber in overalls and a mustache far outpaced the fourth installment of the “John Wick” saga, in which Keanu Reeves reprises his role as an assassin who fights an international crime syndicate, which is in second place with $14.6 million. collected

In third place on the list is the high-budget action movie “Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.” The adaptation of the hit role-playing game starring Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Hugh Grant and “Bridgerton” star Rege-Jean Page took in $14.5 million over the weekend.

Ben Affleck’s latest film, “Air,” which tells the story of the origin of Nike shoes inspired by NBA legend Michael Jordan, debuted in fourth place ($14.4 million), “a very good result” for a movie in its age category, according to analyst David Gross. .

In fifth place in North America, “Scream VI,” starring Courteney Cox and “Wednesday” star Jenna Ortega, took in $3.3 million.

Rounding out the top 10: “His Only Son” ($3.3 million), “Creed III” ($2.8 million), “Shazam! Wrath of the Gods” ($1.6 million), “Paints” ($750,000) and “One Thousand and One” ($600,000). (news.ro)