'Ant-Man' Set to Rule the Box Office This Weekend
by EG
It's already almost two months into 2023, and we haven't yet seen the year's first Marvel movie. That will changed this weekend with the release of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. The third installment in one of the more modest Marvel sub-franchises is set to have biggest debut of the year so far, but just how big it will be is a matter of some debate. Read on for details.
Marvel Studios is feeling presidential.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is hoping to open to at least $110 million domestically over the four-day Presidents Day weekend, including $95 million for the three days. More bullish estimate services show the movie coming in at $100 million to $105 million for the three days, and $115 million to $120 million for the four.
However sharp its sting, the Marvel and Disney release will easily score the top box office opening of 2023 to date (granted, the year is only six weeks in) and top the holiday weekend chart.
Quantumania is the third title in the more low-key superhero franchise, and the 31st entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
In 2015, the first Ant-Man launched to $57.2 million domestically — the lowest start of any MCU offering — on its way to earning $519.3 million globally. Three years later, the second film, Ant-Man and the Wasp, started off with $75.8 million in North America before topping out at $622.7 million worldwide.
A three-day domestic opening of $95 million for the newest Ant-Man would represent a 25 percent gain over the second film’s bow.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania reunites director Peyton Reed with actors Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lily. The cast also includes Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jonathan Majors, Kathryn Newton, Bill Murray, Katy O’Brian, William Jackson Harper, James Cutler and David Dastmalchian.
Overseas, Ant-Man 3 could start off with anywhere from $130 million to $190 million. It’s the first Marvel and Disney pic to get a day-and-date release in China since Avengers: Endgame in 2019 (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was finally released in the Middle Kingdom earlier this month, but by that time was widely available digitally).
The original Ant-Man earned a total of $105 million in China, followed by $122.2 million for the sequel.
Get the rest of the story at The Hollywood Reporter.