The sequel to the 1986 blockbuster, in which Tom Cruise reprises his most iconic role as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, grossed an estimated $156 million domestically for its four-day opening weekend, according to Primordial (PGRE).
This gives the film the record for the biggest opening over Memorial Day weekend, surpassing “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End,” which grossed $153 million in 2007.
“Maverick” exceeded expectations at the box office this weekend. Analysts predict the film will gross more than $80 million for its weekend opening and $150 million over the four-day holiday. It’s easily Cruise’s biggest box office debut in his 40-year career and marks the star’s first $100 million opening.
On top of all that, “Maverick” is the third biggest debut of the year behind two superhero films, “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” from Marvel and Warner Bros. “The Batman.”
Studios and theaters couldn’t have dreamed of a better way to dive into summer, the film industry’s most lucrative season.
Recently, Paramount has struggled to find its footing in an ever-changing Hollywood.
This is not the case in 2022.
Films such as “Scream,” “The Lost City,” and “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” helped give Paramount a boost, and “Maverick” continues that trend.
As for theaters, “Maverick” is another blockbuster helping the industry rebound from two brutal years of the pandemic decimating the business.
“Top Gun: Maverick,” which scored a stellar 96% on review site Rotten Tomatoes, now has a clear path to rack up even more box office success. There’s no other major movie on the schedule until Universal’s “Jurassic World: Dominion,” which opens June 9.