Mark Wahlberg’s latest film “Arthur the King,” a heartwarming tale of friendship between a man and a wounded stray dog, hits theaters this Friday, but it might struggle to top the domestic box office.
Lionsgate’s “Arthur the King” aims for a modest debut of $8 million to $10 million from 3,000 North American theaters, given its approximately $20 million budget. Meanwhile, “Kung Fu Panda 4,” last weekend’s box office champion, is expected to maintain its dominance with an estimated $28 million to $30 million in its second weekend. The animated sequel has already grossed $62 million domestically and $93 million worldwide.
“Dune: Part Two,” the sci-fi adventure, is also poised for a strong showing, projected to add $24 million to $27 million during its third weekend in theaters. With $162 million domestically and $375 million globally, the sequel has outperformed its predecessor and is on track to surpass its total box office earnings soon.
Another newcomer, Focus Features’ satirical comedy “The American Society of Magical Negroes,” debuts with modest expectations in 1,146 North American venues.
Directed by Simon Cellan Jones and written by Michael Brandt, “Arthur the King” tells the true story of a professional adventure racer and a resilient street dog embarking on a perilous journey together. Despite its predictable narrative, early reviews suggest that the film’s inspirational themes resonate with audiences.
While Lionsgate hopes for a surprise hit akin to Channing Tatum’s “Dog,” the box office is in need of a sleeper success, as overall domestic revenues lag behind last year’s figures by approximately 10%, according to Comscore. With upcoming releases like Sony’s “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” and Warner Bros. and Legendary’s “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” theater owners are banking on continued audience turnout to boost March’s box office numbers.