For the first time in nearly a year, two films grossed over $50 million in one weekend.
In its third weekend, “Avengers: Endgame” edged out “Pokémon Detective Pikachu,” but the margin was closer than projected.
There were three other wide releases, but these two films made up two thirds of the overall total.
Still, with this weekend $30 million higher than 2018, the year-to-date deficit now stands at 9%, or just under $600 million.Legendary Entertainment’s “Pokémon” (which opened in Japan ahead of other territories) has amassed $170 million so far, $58 million of that domestic.
With a $150 million budget, and likely close to that in marketing costs, it minimally needs to double that amount (more most likely) to be a good return on investment.It also has potential a longer-term franchise.
The film versions of the characters have previously been G rated, with the biggest being the 1999 animated “Pokemon: The First Movie.” It opened about
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