Studiocanal’s highly anticipated third instalment of the beloved ‘Paddington’ franchise, ‘Paddington in Peru’, has taken the U.K. and Ireland box office by storm, delivering a commanding £9.6 million ($12.3 million) opening weekend, as reported by Comscore.
This impressive feat has earned ‘Paddington in Peru’ the distinction of scoring the biggest opening of the year for a British-produced film, surpassing previous records set by other notable films. Furthermore, this achievement marks the largest opening in the territory for the ‘Paddington’ franchise as a whole.
This accomplishment also signifies a milestone for Studiocanal, as ‘Paddington in Peru’ is now the studio’s highest-grossing film to date in the U.K. The film’s massive success is a testament to the enduring popularity of the ‘Paddington’ franchise, which has captivated audiences of all ages since the release of the first film in 2014.
However, the film’s reign at the top of the U.K. and Ireland box office may be short-lived, as the highly anticipated ‘Gladiator II’ is set to be released soon. The sequel to the Oscar-winning epic historical drama ‘Gladiator’ is expected to generate significant buzz and draw in large crowds, potentially posing a threat to ‘Paddington in Peru’’s position as the top-grossing film in the territory.
Despite this looming competition, the team behind ‘Paddington in Peru’ has plenty to celebrate. The film’s success serves as a reminder of the timeless appeal of the ‘Paddington’ franchise and its ability to captivate audiences on a massive scale. As the film continues to perform well at the box office, it will be interesting to see how it holds up against the upcoming release of ‘Gladiator II’.