LOS ANGELES: Cars 2, a Pixar sequel judged by critics to be the worst movie produced by the Disney-owned animation studio, sped to the front of the pack at the weekend box office in North America.
According to studio estimates issued on Sunday, the massive merchandising opportunity earned about $68 million during its first three days of release across the United States and Canada.
Heading into the weekend, both studio executives at Pixar’s Walt Disney Co parent and industry pundits had doubted Cars 2 would exceed the $60 million start for the first Cars in 2006.
Indeed by one major benchmark, it did fall short since the inflation-adjusted opening for Cars was estimated at $72 million by analysts at Box Office Mojo. The sequel also had the benefit of premium pricing for 3-D engagements.
The only other new release in the top 10, the raunchy Cameron Diaz comedy Bad Teacher” opened at No. 2 with a better than expected $31 million. Last weekend’s champion, the underwhelming superhero film Green Lantern, slid to No. 3 with $18.4 million.
As with Disney’s recent Pirates of the Caribbean sequel, which badly trailed its predecessors in North America but was huge overseas, Cars 2 is expected to fire on all cylinders internationally.
The storyline follows the talking autos in Grand Prix races across Europe and Japan. (Reuters)