Much like its loveable CGI star, Paddington 2 has proved to be that rarest of creatures, a sequel that surpasses the original, and now it’s replicating the critical success at the box office.
Studiocanal’s sequel has knocked Murder On the Orient Express from the top spot with an estimated £8.2m over the weekend. The first film opened with £5.13m in 2014, before going on to gross £37.9m. Paddington 2 also topped the studio’s biggest UK opening weekend ever, which was held by Tom Hardy vehicle Legend with £5.19m.
SEE ALSO: Read our review of Paddington 2 here
Kenneth Branagh shouldn’t be too miffed at the bear, because although Express was derailed, it suffered a miniscule drop of 12%, to earn £4.4m and a running cume of £13m after ten days.
Thor: Ragnarok fell to third, but in doing so became the eighth highest grossing Marvel movie in the UK with £25.87m.
The much-anticipated sequel to the worldwide hit family film finds Paddington happily settled with the Brown family in Windsor Gardens, where he has become a popular member of the community, spreading joy and marmalade wherever he goes. While searching for the perfect present for his beloved Aunt Lucy’s hundredth birthday, Paddington spots a unique pop-up book in Mr. Gruber’s antique shop, and embarks upon a series of odd jobs to buy it. But when the book is stolen, it’s up to Paddington and the Browns to unmask the thief…
Paddington 2 stars returning cast members Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Peter Capaldi, Madeleine Harris, Samuel Joslin, Imelda Staunton, and Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington alongside new additions Hugh Grant, Brendan Gleeson, Richard Ayoade, and Noah Taylor.
