Ghostbusters series hits box office milestone after Frozen Empire's chart-topping debut
Despite receiving the lowest score of its series on Rotten Tomatoes, Frozen Empire has helped the Ghostbusters franchise reach an impressive box office milestone.
The sequel to the 2021 movie Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Frozen Empire treated fans to a team up from THE Spengler family and the original Ghostbusters as they battled a new threat in New York City.
The domestic opening of Frozen Empire (the fifth Ghostbusters movie), has taken the entire franchise past $1 billion.
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According to Deadline, the movie opened at $45.2 million, despite fears that it would collapse into the high $30 million range. These figures were based on their presales, which paled in comparison to Kung Fu Panda 4.
Holding up against the competition, Frozen Empire was responsible for 42% of the weekend's ticket sales followed by Dune Part Two (17%) and Kung Fu Panda 4 (15%).
The sequel seems to be doing well with younger audiences, as well as fans of the 1984 original movie. It was reported that 56% of the audience was under 35, and the early turnout before 5pm on Saturday suggests an audience of families.
Overseas audiences contributed to $16.4 million from over 7,500 screens in 25 markets bringing the global start to $61.6 million.
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Critics haven't been quite as enthusiastic however, as its 43% Rotten Tomatoes score has become the lowest entry in the franchise, behind 1989's Ghostbusters II (55%).
Digital Spy's review called the movie "a definite improvement on Afterlife".
"It's less reliant on the past – although can't quite rid itself of it – and is more confident in blending the family-friendly spooks with comedy.
"What you're left wishing is that Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire had enough confidence to establish its own identity. It ends up being a fun step in the right direction though," it said.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is out now in cinemas.
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