It’s safe to say that Disney-Pixar’s “Incredibles 2” has shattered even the highest expectations as it has bowed this weekend with the best debut of all time for an animated film, reeling in $180 million. Previously, the seat was taken by “Finding Dory,” after it earned $135 million in its opening weekend in 2016.
“Incredibles 2” now also takes the spot for the eighth-biggest domestic opening of all time, beating out 2017’s “Beauty and the Beast” for the best debut for a PG-rated film. Domestically the film easily knocked out contenders like “Tag” and “Superfly,” which clocked in $14.6 million and $8.4 million respectively. The films still couldn’t surpass the “Ocean’s 8” second weekend which closed out with $19.5 million for the second biggest grab this weekend.
Overseas, “Incredibles 2” managed to pull in $51.5 million, where its only available in 26% of the international market so far, bringing the global total to $231.5 million.
“The film shows the drawing power of the superhero genre, whether in the live action or animated realm,” box office analyst Paul Dergarbedian says. “The combination of the Pixar brand and Disney’s perfectly executed marketing and distribution strategy made the film an instant classic and a box office juggernaut.”
“Incredibles 2” arrives 14 years after its predecessor arrived in 2004 with $70.5 million. The film went on to gross $633 million and win an Oscar for best animated film.