Transformers weakens in US, huge in China

NEW YORK (AP):

The hulking machines of Transformers are no longer box office behemoths in North America. But they're still big in China.

Michael Bay's Transformers: The Last Knight, the fifth instalment in the Hasbro series, scored a franchise-low domestic debut with an estimated US$43.5 million in ticket sales over the weekend and a five-day total of US$69.1 million since opening Wednesday. All previous Transformers sequels opened with $97 million-plus.

But Paramount Pictures' The Last Knight, the second Transformers movie to star Mark Wahlberg, still showed its might overseas. It took in US$196.2 million internationally, including an impressive US$123.4 million in China.

Wonder Woman and Cars 3 tied for second place, both with US$25.2 million. At US$652.9 million globally, Wonder Woman is the highest-grossing film directed by a woman, not accounting for inflation.

Kumail Nanjiani's acclaimed romantic comedy, The Big Sick, landed the best per-screen average of the year. It opened in five cinemas, grossing an average of US$87,000 each.

Following are estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at US and Canadian cinemas, according to comScore.

1. Transformers: The Last Knight, US$45.3m (US$196.2m international)

2. Wonder Woman, US$25.2m (US$20.5m international)

2. Cars 3, US$25.2m (US$11.9m international)

4. 47 Meters Down, US$7.4m

5. All Eyez On Me, US$5.9m (US$1.1m international)

6. The Mummy, US$5.8m (US$16.5m)

7. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, US$5.2m (US$8.3m international)

8. Rough Night, US$4.7m (US$2m international)

9. Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie, US$4.3m (US$1m international)

10. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, $3m