“The Batman” swooped into first place at the box office, raking in $128.5 million on its opening weekend — more than any other movie this year.
The three-hour superhero reboot, starring Robert Pattinson as Gotham’s brooding caped crusader, is the second pandemic-era flick to earn more than $100 million in a single weekend, according to Variety.
The Warner Bros. film, which also features Zoë Kravitz as an exceptionally foxy Catwoman, beat out the Mark Wahlberg treasure-hunt flick “Uncharted” for the top spot.
“It’s fun to see the public really embrace the movie,” Jeff Goldstein, president of domestic distribution at Warner Bros., told the entertainment news outlet. “That bodes well for its run on the big screen. It helps that the word of mouth is so strong.”
The only COVID-times movie to earn more than “The Batman” was “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” which had a $260 million opening weekend in December, the outlet reported.
“The Batman” reportedly cost $200 million to produce and has so-far earned largely positive reviews. The Post’s Johnny Oleksinski called it a bleak reminder of the Big Apple’s recent crime wave.
Robert Pattinson and Zoe Kravitz arrive for “The Batman” world premiere at Josie Robertson Plaza in New York, March 1, 2022. Reuters /Tom NicholsonRobert Pattinson starring as Gotham’s brooding caped crusader, Batman.Dimitrios KambourisRobert Pattinson and Zoe Kravitz share a laugh at the world premiere.ANGELA WEISS
A Chinese propaganda movie depicting the defeat of the US Army has become the country’s highest-grossing film of all time.
The three-hour-long war epic, “The Battle at Lake Changjin,” has made a whopping $892 million in the communist country since it was released there on Sept. 30.
It has now surpassed the 2017 action flick “Wolf Warrior II,” which previously held the record for China’s highest-grossing movie, with $882 million in box office receipts.
As the Chinese box office is the largest in the world, “The Battle at Lake Changjin” is also now the highest-grossing film of 2021 worldwide, according to Variety.
It has even outearned the James Bond flick, “No Time To Die,” which has grossed just north of $700 million internationally.
Audiences in China are seen watching the propaganda war flick at a local cinema last month.Getty Images
The film is based on the Battle of Chosin Reservoir — a military campaign that occurred during the Korean War. The brutal, 17-day battle took place in late 1950, shortly after the People’s Republic of China entered the war in support of North Korea.
Against all odds, 120,000 Chinese troops managed to encircle and attack US forces and their allies. While the Americans were eventually able to break free, they were subsequently forced to evacuate the region, marking their complete withdrawal from North Korea.
“The Battle at Lake Changjin” — which cost $200 million to make — was sponsored by the Chinese government, which is said to be delighted at the success of the propaganda film.
The film was sponsored by China’s communist government, which is said to be delighted by its success. VCG via Getty Images
Variety reports that the country’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian sent congratulations to Wu Jing, the lead actor in the film.
The movie’s release comes amid growing hostility between China and the United States.
Last week, President Joe Biden said he was “considering” a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing amid ongoing tensions with the country.
The film has grossed close to $900 million in less than two months.VCG via Getty Images
China has also been taking an increasingly aggressive approach to Taiwan and has been test-firing hypersonic missiles.
The Diplomat reports that Chinese citizens increasingly support the prospect of military conflicts and that “the massive popularity of ‘The Battle at Lake Changjin’ arguably stems from China’s new view of war.”
LeBron James sent the world a message as his new film takes over the box office.
James took to Twitter to link to an article stating “Space Jam: A New Legacy” is set to finish the weekend at No. 1 with a projected $32 million opening, beating out “Black Widow.”
“Hi Haters!” James wrote with a grinning emoji.
The sequel to 1996’s Michael Jordan-led “Space Jam” pulled in more than $13 million on Friday, according to multiple reports, despite poor reviews. The movie, which reportedly cost $150 million to make, is also available on HBO Max.
After “Black Widow” opened last weekend with $80 million in domestic ticket sales and $78 million internationally, the Marvel flick is projected to rake in roughly $26 million for its second weekend.
“Space Jam: A New Legacy,” starring LeBron James, is set to open No. 1 at the box office.AFP via Getty Images
Other hoops stars who appear in the “Space Jam” sequel include Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard, Nneka Ogwumike, Diana Taurasi and Klay Thompson.
