“Top Gun: Maverick” is still flying high a week after it debuted in theaters.
According to Paramount, the sequel to the 1986 blockbuster, in which Tom Cruise’s Pete “Maverick” Mitchell teaches a new group of recruits about the importance of speed, earned an estimated $86 million in its second weekend domestically.
This is a drop of only 32% from the film’s record-breaking opening weekend last weekend.
That kind of drop for a blockbuster is quite remarkable given that most make the majority of their money in the opening weekend.
According to Paramount, “Maverick” had the lowest percent change of any film that has opened to $100 million.
According to Comscore, other major films such as May’s “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” dropped 67 percent in its second weekend, and March’s “The Batman” dropped 50 percent in its second weekend.
According to Paramount, the film has earned $548.6 million worldwide so far.
Why the film, which also stars Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, and Jon Hamm, has retained much of its appeal is understandable given its critical and audience acclaim.
The film received a 97 percent rating from critics on the review site Rotten Tomatoes and an “A+” CinemaScore from audiences.
It also had little competition this weekend at the box office.
However, that will change next week with the release of Universal’s “Jurassic World: Dominion.”
Nonetheless, the success of “Maverick” thus far cannot be overstated.
The film grossed $160.5 million domestically over Memorial Day weekend, setting a new record for the biggest opening over the holiday.
“Maverick” was supposed to hit theaters in 2020, but was delayed multiple times because of the pandemic.
While other theatrical films pivoted to streaming, “Maverick” waited until audiences could experience it on the big screen — a strategy Cruise was adamant about.
So far, that strategy has helped “Maverick” hit heights rarely seen by other films.
It was easily Cruise’s biggest debut at the box office in his 40-year career and marks the star’s first $100 million opening.
“Maverick” was supposed to hit theaters in 2020, but was delayed multiple times because of the pandemic. While other theatrical films pivoted to streaming, “Maverick” waited until audiences could experience it on the big screen — a strategy Cruise was adamant about.
So far, that strategy has helped “Maverick” hit heights rarely seen by other films.
