LOS ANGELES: Steven Spielberg’s latest sci-fi thriller, “Disclosure Day, ” debuted in first place at the North American box office with $44 million in ticket sales, industry estimates showed Sunday. With an ensemble cast led by Emily Blunt and Josh O’Connor, the action-packed film follows an effort to reveal a decades-long coverup of extra-terrestrial visitations. Decades after making “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” (1977) and “E. T. ” (1982), Spielberg returns to the burning question of whether humanity is alone – but with a setting in our modern AI- and social media-altered world. Industry analyst David A. Gross called the $44 million debut a “very good opening for an original sci-fi thriller. ” “The film’s success is going to depend on how well it holds, ” he said, adding that “reception is very good, but with Steven Spielberg, many people want great. ” Second place went to Focus Features’ indie horror hit “Obsession, ” which took in another $19 million in its fifth week out for a total domestic haul of $188. 3 million, Exhibitor Relations reported. Directed by 26-year-old Curry Baker on a budget of less than $1 million, the film has ridden strong critical and audience reviews to a whopping global estimated haul of $286 million. Variety said it represents Focus Features’ highest grossing film of all time and noted that it has now had four consecutive weekends above its “already-impressive $17 million debut. ” Inde Navarrette has earned particular plaudits for her leading role as a young woman who becomes hauntingly infatuated with a man, played by Michael Johnston, after he makes a magical wish for her affection. Third place went to Paramount’s reboot of the “Scary Movie” parody franchise, with $14. 5 million in its second week out. A24’s horror film “Backrooms” came in fourth with $11. 3 million, taking its domestic total to $160 million after a record-breaking debut two weeks ago. The film is based on 20-year-old director Kane Parsons’ viral YouTube series and has now earned over $262 million at the global box office on a budget of just $10 million. Starring Oscar nominees Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve, the movie follows a furniture shop owner (Ejiofor) who discovers a mysterious, labyrinthine complex underneath his store. Fifth place went to MGM’s “Masters of the Universe” reboot, which took in just $8. 7 million in its second week out – a 70 percent drop from its already modest debut. With a production budget of over $200 million, Variety said, the adventure film based on a 1980s Mattel toy “will leave theaters as one of the year’s biggest bombs. ” Rounding out the top 10 were: “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” ($4. 7 million) “Michael” ($4. 1 million, for a total global haul of $932 million) “BTS World Tour Arirang in Busan” ($3. 8 million) “The Furious” ($2. 8 million) “Stop! That! Train” ($2 million)
Spielberg’s ‘Disclosure Day’ debuts atop N. America box office
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