Warner Bros. and DC Films unleashed the first superhero movie of 2020 this past Friday with the DC Extended Universe girl gang ensemble Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn), with the R-rated comic book adaptation grossing $81.3 million worldwide in its opening weekend.
Despite critical acclaimed, Birds of Prey came in short of expectations in North America, opening to $33.3 million. That’s the lowest for any DCEU movie to date, down some $20 million on Shazam’s $53 million debut last year, and below tracking and studio estimates which had suggested an opening in the region of $45 to $50 million.
Internationally, the movie fared a little better, adding an additional $48 million from 78 markets, including Mexico ($4.6 million), Russia ($4 million), UK ($3.9 million), Brazil ($2.8 million) and France ($2.7 million).
SEE ALSO: Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of Box Office Expectations)
Coming out of the opening weekend, box office analysts are predicting that the $80 million-budgeted Birds of Prey will likely go on to gross between $250 million and $300 million by the end of its run, with little in the way of direct competition in the coming weeks.
Are you surprised that Birds of Prey opened below expectations? Be sure to let us know your thoughts on the film, either in the comments below or on our social channels @FlickeringMyth…
Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) is a twisted tale told by Harley herself, as only Harley can tell it. When Gotham’s most nefariously narcissistic villain, Roman Sionis, and his zealous right-hand, Zsasz, put a target on a young girl named Cass, the city is turned upside down looking for her. Harley, Huntress, Black Canary and Renee Montoya’s paths collide, and the unlikely foursome have no choice but to team up to take Roman down.
Cathy Yan (Dead Pigs) is directing Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) from a script by Christina Hodson (Bumblebee) with Margot Robbie reprising her Suicide Squad role as Harley Quinn alongside Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Fargo) as The Huntress, Jurnee Smollett-Bell (Underground) as Black Canary, Rosie Perez (Fearless) as Renee Montoya, Ella Jay Basco (Grey’s Anatomy) as Cassandra Cain, Ewan McGregor (Christopher Robin) as Black Mask, Chris Messina (Sharp Objects) as Victor Zsasz, Ali Wong (Black Box), Robert Catrini (Jack Reacher: Never Go Back), Steven Williams (The Chi), Dana Lee (Dr. Ken), Francois Chau (The Expanse) and Matthew Willig (The Ballad of Buster Scruggs).
