In a box office shakeup, Jason Statham’s action-packed thriller A Working Man claimed the No. 1 spot this weekend with a $15.2 million debut, surpassing Disney’s Snow White, which fell to second place following a steep 66% decline in its second week.
Statham and Ayer Deliver Another Hit
The David Ayer-directed film, co-written by Sylvester Stallone and backed by Amazon MGM Studios, features Statham as a retired military veteran pulled back into action after a kidnapping. The movie opened slightly below their 2024 collaboration The Beekeeper ($16.5 million) but still performed solidly, given the state of the current box office.
Despite earning only, a “B” CinemaScore, A Working Man has proven that Statham remains a bankable star in an era of volatile theatrical performance. The film’s success is especially notable as it launches without major stars beyond Statham and amid minimal pre-release buzzes.
‘Snow White’ Falters in Second Week
Disney’s Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, earned $14.2 million this weekend, dropping sharply from its $45 million opening. With just $66.8 million domestically and $143.1 million globally, the $250 million remake now faces an uphill battle to profitability. Disney’s latest attempt at reimagining a classic has been met with backlash and underwhelming word of mouth, further dampening its momentum ahead of the arrival of The Minecraft Movie, which is expected to dominate the family demographic next weekend.
Faith-Based ‘The Chosen’ Secures Strong Opening
In third place, The Chosen: Last Supper – Part 1, a theatrical release of the popular faith-based TV series, brought in $11.5 million from 2,235 theaters. Its strong opening reinforces the continued viability of Christian programming in cinemas, especially ahead of streaming releases.
Horror Head-to-Head: ‘Woman in the Yard’ vs. ‘Unicorn’
Blumhouse’s The Woman in the Yard landed at No. 4 with $9.45 million. Starring Danielle Deadwyler, the horror film earned poor reviews and a “C-” CinemaScore but benefitted from a modest $12 million budget and effective promotional stunts, including eerie in-theater marketing. Despite lukewarm reception, its opening suggests profitability is still within reach.
A24’s Death of a Unicorn, a horror-comedy starring Jenna Ortega and Paul Rudd, debuted in fifth place with $5.8 million. While marketed as quirky and original, the film struggled to convert Ortega’s massive fanbase into ticket sales. Audiences gave the film a “B-” CinemaScore, and while buzz on social media has been positive, the film’s slow start suggests limited legs. With a $15 million production cost, the film will need strong international and digital revenue to recoup expenses.
Ghibli Classic Still Draws Crowds
GKids’ re-release of Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke made a notable impact, grossing $4 million from just 330 IMAX screens. The 1997 classic continues to draw crowds, bolstered by a renewed interest in hand-drawn animation amid rising AI-generated content.
Rounding Out the Top Ten
Rounding out the top ten were Captain America: Brave New World ($2.8 million), Black Bag ($2.15 million), Mickey 17 ($1.92 million), and Novocaine ($1.45 million). Meanwhile, Sony Pictures Classics’ The Penguin Lessons, starring Steve Coogan, debuted at $1.2 million from 1,017 theaters.
Box Office Still Trails Previous Years
Overall weekend ticket sales reached $79 million, up 5% from last weekend but still 42% behind the same period last year. The industry continues to struggle with audience hesitation and a lack of breakout hits.
With spring break still in session and The Minecraft Movie poised to draw families, exhibitors are hoping for a rebound in the coming weeks.
Box Office Top 5:
- A Working Man – $15.2M
- Snow White – $14.2M
- The Chosen: Last Supper – $11.5M
- The Woman in the Yard – $9.45M
- Death of a Unicorn – $5.8M
