Audiences Flock to Spider-Verse, Abandon Mortal Engines

Peter Jackson 'tentpole' utterly tanks as animated 'Spider-Verse' takes top spot
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Dec 16, 2018 11:11 AM CST
Spidey Swings Again as Mortal Engines Sputters
From left, Peni, voiced by Kimiko Glen, Spider-Gwen, voiced by Hailee Steinfeld, Spider-Ham, voiced by John Mulaney, Miles Morales, voiced by Shameik Moore, Peter Parker, voiced by Jake Johnson, and Spider-Man Noir, voiced by Nicolas Cage, in a scene from "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse."   (Sony Pictures Animation via AP)

The animated Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse has swung to the top of the domestic box office in its first weekend in theaters. Sony Pictures on Sunday estimates that the film has earned $35.4 million from North American theaters, reports the AP. Critics have praised the film focusing on Miles Morales, and audiences in exit surveys gave it a rare A+ CinemaScore, which is a first for a Spider-Man film.

The Clint Eastwood-directed drug smuggling drama The Mule debuted in second place with an estimated $17.2 million. It's his first major role in a film since 2012. Not all the new films were so lucky, however. The Peter Jackson-produced epic Mortal Engines bombed in North American theaters, taking in only $7.5 million in ticket sales against a reported $100 million production budget.

(More box office stories.)

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