Sawt Falasteen - New 'Kung Fu Panda' kicks all comers to top N.America box office

"Panda," a martial-arts comedy from DreamWorks and Universal, took in an estimated $58.3 million for the Friday-through-Sunday period, according to industry watcher Exhibitor Relations, as Hollywood saw some improving results following a wan start to the year.

The film's numbers were good enough -- for part four of an animated series -- to earn it a spot in an "elite" group including "Toy Story," "Despicable Me/Minions," "Ice Age" and "Shrek," said analyst David A. Gross. Jack Black voices panda Po as he battles a shape-shifting enemy.

Denis Villeneuve's epic "Dune" sequel from Warner Bros. meantime enjoyed a strong second weekend, earning a solid $46 million. That pushed the domestic total for the extravagant sci-fi flick with its lavish cast to $157 million. It has taken in an additional $210 million internationally.

"Imaginary," a new horror film from Blumhouse Productions and Lionsgate, came in third at $10 million -- not a huge figure, but one nearly equaling its modest production cost, a formula that keeps the horror films coming. DeWanda Wise plays Jessica, who rediscovers her childhood teddy bear Chauncey -- only to learn he's not nearly as cute and cuddly as she once thought -- certainly no Paddington or Pooh.

Fourth spot, with $7.6 million, went to Angel Studios' new faith-based drama "Cabrini," about a Catholic nun in 19th-century New York who clashed with politicians and church officials while trying to care for poverty-stricken immigrants. Cristiana Dell'Anna plays Mother Frances Cabrini, who was canonized long after her death.

And in fifth place, slipping three spots from last weekend, was Paramount's biopic "Bob Marley: One Love," at $4.1 million. Kingsley Ben-Adir plays the iconic reggae singer in the surprise box office hit, which has now taken in $89.3 million in North America.

There was some good news for those gathering in Hollywood: the domestic box office was down just three percent this week from a three-year pre-pandemic average, Gross said -- "good numbers" after a pallid January and February.

Rounding out the top 10 were:

"Ordinary Angels" ($2 million)

"Madame Web" ($1.1 million)

"Migration" ($1.1 million)

"Yolo" ($840,000)

"The Chosen: S4 Ep. 7-8" ($750,000)

X.Habash--SF-PST