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PEOPLE & ARTS Monday 19 February 2018
'Black Panther' blows away box office with $192M weekend

By JAKE COYLE among the top 15 global
NEW YORK (AP) — A wave debuts ever. It's also the
of feverish anticipation, highest-grossing February
fawning critical acclaim opening weekend.
and groundbreaking cul- "All hail the King of Wakan-
tural meaning pushed da!" Disney declared, refer-
"Black Panther" to a record- ring to the movie's mythical
setting $192 million debut in and highly advanced Afri-
U.S. and Canada theaters, can nation.
firmly establishing the su- Ryan Coogler's film, which
perhero sensation as a box- cost about $200 million to
office landmark. make, is the most expensive
The Marvel film from the movie with a largely black
Walt Disney Co. blew past ensemble and among the
expectations to become few to be centered on a
the fifth-highest-grossing black superhero. The strong
debut ever, not adjusting opening suggests "Black
for inflation, following only Panther" will easily set a
"Star Wars: The Force Awak- box-office record for films
ens," ''Star Wars: The Last directed by a black film-
Jedi," ''Jurassic World" and maker.
"The Avengers."In estimates The previous best is Sidney
Sunday, Disney predicted a Poitier's 1980 comedy "Stir
four-day holiday weekend Crazy," which took in $322 This image released by Disney and Marvel Studios' shows Chadwick Boseman in a scene from
of $218 million domestically million domestically, when "Black Panther."
and a global debut of $361 inflation is calculated. (Marvel Studios/Disney via AP)
million. "Black Panther" set pre-
Though the film's interna- sale records and saw lines "This is the very definition of dia analyst for comScore. way." The film especially
tional footprint doesn't in- around theaters over the a blockbuster: People lining "A movie like 'Black Pan- resonated among African-
clude several of the largest weekend, including some up around the block to see ther' is a cultural event that Americans, who made up
markets — China, Russia who came costumed for a great movie," said Paul nothing on the small screen 37 percent of moviegoers,
and Japan — it still ranks the event. Dergarabedian, senior me- can really match in that according to comScore.q