Jeff Spicer/Getty Images Entertainment
“Dune: Part Two,” the latest film based on the sci-fi books by Frank Herbert, reaped ticket sales of $81.5 million in the United States and Canada for the biggest box-office debut this year
Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ:WBD), which is distributing the movie in partnership with Legendary Entertainment, had predicted a $65 million haul. Box Office Pro, which is owned by a theater industry trade association, had forecast proceeds of $80.9 million.
The opening was the biggest since concert movie “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” brought in $93.2 million in October.
Before the release of “Dune: Part 2,” ticket sales in North America were down 18% through February 25.
Globally, the movie has grossed $178.5 million.
Almost half of total domestic box office sales came from what are known as premium large formats such as Imax 70 mm, Imax Digital and Dolby Cinema. Tickets at these venues typically have a higher price than for theaters with regular screens.
“Dune: Part One” was released simultaneously in theaters and on the HBO Max streaming platform in 2021, when the coronavirus pandemic was affecting theater attendance.
Shares of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) have declined 24% so far this year.