NEW Warner Bros. release "Space Jam: A New Legacy" rocketed to the top of the North American box office over the weekend, taking in an estimated $31.6 million in the best showing of a family film since Covid first hammered the industry.
The live action/animated movie a sequel nearly 25 years after the original "Space Jam" with Michael Jordan has NBA superstar LeBron James teaming up with Bugs Bunny and other Looney Tunes characters in a high-stakes basketball game against a rogue artificial-intelligence entity threatening his son.
The film's surprise showing, despite middling-to-terrible reviews the New York Post called it an "abomination" propelled it past last weekend's leader, Disney superhero film "Black Widow."
That Marvel Studios production, starring Scarlett Johansson, took in $25.6 million in the Friday-through-Sunday period, down sharply from its $80.4 million opening, according to industry watcher Exhibitor Relations.
In third place was Sony's psychological thriller "Escape Room: Tournament of Champions," at $8.8 million. Taylor Russell and Logan Miller, reprising their roles in 2019's "Escape Room," face a series of deadly traps and puzzles set by the evil Minos.
Fourth place went to Universal's "F9: The Fast Saga," at $7.6 million, bringing the four-week domestic total of the Vin Diesel/John Cena action thriller to $154 million.
And in fifth was Universal's animated "Boss Baby: Family Business," at $4.7 million.
Meantime, "Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain" the Focus Features/CNN Films movie about the world-traveling chef -- had the best opening of a documentary this year, at $1.9 million.
Rounding out the top 10 were:
"The Forever Purge" ($4.2 million)
"A Quiet Place: Part II" ($2.3 million)
"Roadrunner" ($1.9 million)
"Cruella" ($1.1 million)
"Pig" ($945,000)
ETX Studio
Mon Jul 19 2021
Disney superhero film "Black Widow", starring Scarlett Johansson, took in $25.6 million in the Friday-through-Sunday period, down sharply from its $80.4 million opening. - ETX Studio
80 children of former GISB members remain unclaimed - Nancy
Some parents wish to reunite with their kids, but others changed their minds for unknown reasons, says Nancy Shukri.
MACC-FBI-DOJ collaboration recovers US20 mln linked to 1MDB
MACC says Frank White Jr. voluntarily agreed to surrender funds to the DOJ after learning they originated from misappropriated 1MDB money.
Malaysia aims to reclaim top spot as world's leading rubber producer in 10 years - DPM Zahid
The replanting process must utilise high-quality saplings and automated methods for tapping and collection, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid.
Ousted South Korean defence minister testifies Yoon never intended full martial law
Kim Yong-hyun says he wanted a broader military deployment but was overruled by President Yoon Suk-Yeol.
Bloomberg philanthropy to cover US climate dues after Paris withdrawal
Bloomberg Philanthropies will cover US dues to UN Climate Change body, ensuring emissions reporting despite Trump's climate policy pullback.
What Trump has done since returning to the White House
Here are some of the actions that President Donald Trump has taken so far.
Indonesia resumes search for 13 missing after deadly landslide in Central Java
The number of the missing people is most likely more as there was a cafe in the landslide location, a spokesperson said.
Revocation of PwD driving licences only in specific cases - Loke
Anthony Loke says that PwD drivers should not be made scapegoats simply due to isolated incidents involving the group.
Trump steps up immigration crackdown, warns city, state officials against interference
State and local officials who resist or obstruct immigration enforcement could be charged under federal laws against defrauding the US.
ASEAN calls for full implementation of Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement
ASEAN calls on all parties to maintain conducive conditions to the full implementation of the agreement, strictly adhere to its terms.
Trump designates Yemen's Houthis as a 'foreign terrorist organisation'
The move will impose harsher economic penalties than the Biden administration had applied to the Iran-aligned group.
Thailand holds its first same-sex weddings, targets record registrations
Thailand is the third territory in Asia to legalise same-sex marriages after Taiwan and Nepal.
Teen fatally shoots a female student and himself at Antioch High School in Nashville, police say
According to police, the shooter -confronted- student Josselin Corea Escalante, in the cafeteria and opened fire, killing her.
Targeted toll exemption for festive seasons under review - PM
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says similar to previous subsidy adjustments, toll exemptions should only be provided to the B40 and M40 groups.
New wildfire near Los Angeles explodes to 9,400 acres, forces evacuations
A new wildfire fueled by strong winds and dry brush, forces mandatory evacuation orders for more than 31,000 people.
Analysis - Trump's bid to label Mexican cartels 'foreign terrorists' poses risks to companies, migrants
Mexico has long opposed the move, arguing the cartels are not motivated by political ends like others on the terror list, but by profit.
PM's WEF dialogues - From Manchester United, regional challenges to balancing global superpower dynamics
On South China Sea, the PM says any resolution must be a collaborative solution, regardless of Western world's views on it
1.4 billion people travelled internationally in 2024 - UNWTO
According to UNWTO, this represents an 11 per cent increase, equivalent to 140 million more travellers than the previous year.
Man killed, two injured in random stabbing near Japan's Nagano Station
An investigative source said the suspect appeared to target victims at random.
China families appeal to free relatives held by scam gangs in Myanmar
The UN says hundreds of thousands of people have been trafficked to scam centres in Southeast Asia since the COVID-19 pandemic.