BOX OFFICE: ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ Debut Disappoints

After a string of hugely successful Marvel superhero movies dominated the box office for weeks, Disney appeared to falter with a disappointing debut for “Solo: A Star Wars Story.”

The latest entry into the Star Wars canon, “Solo” stars Alden Ehrenreich as Solo, alongside Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, Thandie Newton, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Joonas Suotamo, and Paul Bettany, with direction from Ron “Opie” Howard.

With an estimated production budget of $250 million, “Solo” opened to just $83.3M in North America, and $148.3M worldwide, in 55 territories. While anything with the Star Wars label is usually a safe bet, Disney may have been competing with themselves for domestic box office dollars — “Deadpool 2” also a Disney venture, added $42.7M in North America and $99.7M worldwide.

“Deadpool 2″ has only been in general release for 2 weeks but is already closing in on $500m in cumulative worldwide revenue, which surely must provide some salve for Disney execs to soothe the sting of”Solo’s” soft opening numbers.

Rounding out the top 3 both domestically and worldwide was “Avengers: Infinity War” yet another Marvel-Disney sequel. The film cleared $49.0M, with $16.5M coming from North American theaters. All told, “Avengers” has grossed more than $1.28bn since it opened at the end of April.

The top 12 worldwide weekend box office estimates, listed in descending order, per data collected as of Sunday, May 27

Solo: A Star Wars Story – Disney – $148.3M
Deadpool 2 – 20th Century Fox – $99.7M
Avengers: Infinity War – Disney – $49.0M
How Long Will I Love U – Multiple – $24.5M
Believer – Kidari – $10.4M
Book Club – Paramount Pictures – $9.4M
Quiet Place, A – Paramount Pictures – $6.9M
Overboard – Multiple – $5.3M
Life Of The Party – Warner Bros. – $5.1M
Breaking In – Universal – $4.3M
Blumhouse’s Truth Or Dare – Universal – $3.4M
Show Dogs – Open Road – $3.1M

The top 12 domestic weekend box office estimates, listed in descending order, per data collected as of Sunday, May 27

Solo: A Star Wars Story – Disney – $83.3M
Deadpool 2 – 20th Century Fox – $42.7M
Avengers: Infinity War – Disney – $16.5M
Book Club – Paramount – $9.4M
Life Of The Party – Warner Bros. – $5.1M
Breaking In – Universal – $4.1M
Show Dogs – Open Road – $3.1M
Overboard – Lionsgate – $3.0M
Quiet Place, A – Paramount – $2.2M
RBG – Magnolia Pictures – $1.1M
Rampage – Warner Bros. – $0.8M
Super Troopers 2 – 20th Century Fox – $0.6M