Mandalorian and Grogu tops Memorial Day

Disney and Lucasfilm returned “Star Wars” to theaters over the Memorial Day holiday with “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” which was projected to take in about $102 million domestically from Thursday through Monday. Variety reported the film earned about $82 million over the traditional three-day weekend and about $165 million globally over four days. The New York Times said the movie cost about $300 million to make and market, putting early attention on whether the opening can support a longer run. Deadline reported the film added about $12 million in Thursday previews before the holiday weekend began. ### How big was the opening, exactly? Variety said “The Mandalorian and Grogu” was headed for about $102 million in domestic ticket sales over the four-day Memorial Day frame and about $82 million over three days. The trade publication also reported about $64 million from international markets, for a four-day global start of roughly $165 million. (variety.com) UPI, citing Box Office Mojo, separately reported an $82 million North American weekend total, in line with the three-day figure cited elsewhere. NBC News and The Washington Post, citing studio estimates on Sunday, also reported about $82 million for the Friday-to-Sunday period. ### Why are people focusing on the budget? (variety.com) The New York Times reported on May 24 that Disney spent about $300 million to make and market the film. That figure makes the opening important not only as a franchise return, but as an early commercial test for the company’s latest “Star Wars” theatrical plan. Variety reported a lower production figure, saying the movie carried a $165 million price tag. (upi.com) The difference appears to be that Variety referred to production cost, while the Times described the combined cost to make and market the film. ### How did the weekend start before Friday? Deadline reported the film took in about $12 million in Thursday night previews in North America. (nytimes.com) That early figure fed opening-weekend projections that initially landed in the high-$90 million range for the four-day holiday, according to Deadline’s report carried by MSN. (variety.com) Variety reported the movie made $33 million on Friday alone as Disney brought the franchise back to theaters after a seven-year gap. The Hollywood Reporter later said the film made “major gains” on Saturday on its way to a $102 million domestic holiday opening. ### How does this compare with expectations for “Star Wars”? (msn.com) NBC News reported the opening exceeded some expectations but still landed on the lower end of Disney-era “Star Wars” releases. Forbes, citing industry tracking and trade reports, said the film was on pace for one of the slowest starts for a Disney “Star Wars” movie. (variety.com) Variety said box office analysts were split on the result: a $100 million-plus debut remains notable in the post-pandemic market, while the “Star Wars” brand carries a higher historical standard. The publication also said the film earned an “A-” CinemaScore from opening-weekend audiences. ### What else stood out over the holiday weekend? (nbcnews.com) Variety reported that “Obsession” posted a $28 million second weekend, while The Hollywood Reporter described the hold as extraordinary and said the film rose 30% from its prior weekend. That gave the holiday frame a second major box-office storyline behind Disney’s opening. (variety.com) The Associated Press version carried by Yahoo said Monday’s final holiday tally was expected to settle at about $102 million domestic and $165 million global for “The Mandalorian and Grogu.” Those totals, along with second-weekend results, are likely to be the next closely watched numbers for Disney and theater owners. (yahoo.com) (variety.com)