This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows a scene from “Magic Mike XXL,” in theaters on July 1. AP
NEW YORK— “Magic Mike XXL” is narrowly outstripping “Terminator Genisys” at the holiday weekend box office.
Warner Bros. said Thursday that the Channing Tatum male-stripper sequel earned an estimated $9.3 million on its opening day Wednesday. Paramount Pictures’ “Terminator Genisys,” a reboot of the Arnold Schwarzenegger sci-fi franchise, opened with an estimated $8.9 million Wednesday.
Both sums include about $2 million in Tuesday night showings.
The two films are vying to unseat “Jurassic World” over the July Fourth weekend. With the holiday falling on Saturday, studios aren’t getting the usual long-weekend boost. But “Magic Mike XXL” and “Terminator Genisys” both opened Wednesday to rope in more moviegoers.
Last summer’s Independence Day weekend, featuring Melissa McCarthy’s “Tammy” and the sci-fi adventure “Earth to Echo,” was Hollywood’s worst in decades. TVJ