Warner Bros.’ “A Minecraft Movie” continued its blockbuster run at the U.K. and Ireland box office over the Easter weekend, adding £5.3 million ($7 million) in its third frame, according to Comscore. The video game-inspired hit has now amassed a towering $60.2 million, securing its place as one of the highest-grossing releases of the year so far.
Also from Warner Bros., “Sinners” made a strong debut in second place with $3.2 million. Lionsgate U.K.’s “The Penguin Lessons” opened in third place with $1.4 million. Walt Disney’s “The Amateur” held onto fourth with $1.2 million, pushing its two-week total to $4 million.
A24’s Iraq combat film “Warfare” opened in fifth place with $997,470. Disney’s “Snow White” followed in sixth place with $624,461, bringing its five-week cumulative total to $14 million.
Universal’s stage-to-screen success “Six The Musical” placed seventh with $543,106, and is now at $6.7 million after three weeks. Falling to eighth, Universal’s thriller “Drop” added $270,326, lifting its total to $1.2 million. “The King Of Kings,” from KOVA Releasing, brought in $224,967 in its second weekend, taking its total to $1.3 million.
Rounding out the top ten was “Kesari Chapter 2,” distributed by Moviegoers Entertainment. The Bollywood patriotic film debuted with $164,002, marking another solid entry from South Asian cinema in the U.K. market.
A rich and eclectic mix of new releases arrives in U.K. and Ireland cinemas this week, spanning environmental documentaries, anniversary reissues, concert films, global cinema, and mainstream blockbusters.
Released on April 22 was “Escape From Extinction: Rewilding”, a nature-focused documentary narrated by Meryl Streep and released by Kaleidoscope Entertainment.
Wednesday, April 23 sees the return of the National Theatre with “Macbeth: David Tennant and Cush Jumbo”, a filmed stage production bringing Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy to screens with powerhouse performances in a limited release.
Thursday, April 24 seed Ceema Entertainment debut Filipino blockbuster “My Love Will Make You Disappear”, while Trafalgar Releasing offers “Neil Young: Coastal”, a music documentary featuring the legendary singer-songwriter.
Friday, April 25 is packed with variety. “Pink Floyd at Pompeii – MCMLXXII”, directed by Adrian Maben and distributed in Imax, showcases the band’s iconic 1971 performance in the ancient Roman amphitheatre.
Tull Stories brings engineless sailing documentary “Wind, Tide & Oar.” Also opening is “Swimming Home” (Anti-Worlds Releasing), an adaptation of Deborah Levy’s provocative novel about love, loss and longing; and “The Last Dance (Extended Version),” the hit Hong Kong drama from Trinity CineAsia starring Dayo Wong and Michael Hui.
Vertigo Releasing rolls out body horror “The Ugly Stepsister”, while Universal opens “The Friend,” starring Naomi Watts and Bill Murray and Bulldog Film Distribution bows British drama “Treading Water.” BFI Distribution premieres “April”, directed by Dea Kulumbegashvili, a Georgian drama focused on silence, grief, and hidden truths.
Big reissues dominate family and nostalgic fare. Park Circus is releasing “Miss Congeniality (25th Anniversary – Miss Congeniality Day)” and “Pride & Prejudice (20th Anniversary),” while Disney is reissuing “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge Of The Sith.”
Mainstream attention will also focus on “The Accountant 2”, opening in over 300 locations. Meanwhile, Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s “Cloud” (Blue Finch Film Releasing) delivers slow-burn psychological tension, and “Goldbeak”, from Miracle/Dazzler, offers animation. Sony is opening horror film “Until Dawn” and Together Films award-winning documentary “An Army of Women.”
