Marvel’s “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” dominated the domestic box office in its debut, earning $180 million over the weekend and setting a record in ticket sales for a November open.
After speculation on how the new release would impact the struggling industry, the superhero sequel demolished the record for a November opening in North America, set by 2013’s “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” with $158 million.
As the entertainment industry still relies on superheroes, Disney’s Marvel Studios cemented its dominance at the box office.
Globally, Black Panther netted a massive $330 million with $150 million of that figure coming from 55 overseas markets.
“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” also recorded the second biggest domestic debut of the year, behind the $187.4 million release of “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.” It is also the third best pandemic era release after Doctor Strange and “Spider-Man: No Way Home.”
Black Panther’s new story is a tribute for Chadwick Boseman, the actor who successfully played King T’Challa/Black Panther in the 2018 debut film, and who died in 2020 of cancer. In the sequel the kingdom of Wakanda is grappling with the death of King T’Challa, giving the story a greater emotional impact.
Warner Bros’ “Black Adam” nabbed second place at the domestic box office over the weekend, grossing $8.6 million to push its domestic haul to $151.1 million.
