‘Pets’ fetches big earnings, sinks ‘Dory’
In this image released by Universal Pictures, from left, characters Max, voiced by Louis C.K., Duke, voiced by Eric Stonestreet, and Katie, voiced by Ellie Kemper, appear in a scene from, “The Secret Lives of Pets.” AP
LOS ANGELES, United States — After a three-week reign, the beloved fish Dory’s top box office spot has gone to the dogs — literally.
“The Secret Life of Pets” racked up an impressive $103.2 million in its debut weekend, according to industry tracker Exhibitor Relations, raking in five times the earnings of its closest competition to nab first place.
It’s the third-biggest premiere for an animated film, behind “Finding Dory” and “Minions.”
The Illumination-produced comedy centers on the misadventures of two canines unleashed on the streets of New York, featuring the voices of comedian Louis CK and Eric Stonestreet.
“The Legend of Tarzan,” starring Alexander Skarsgard and Margot Robbie, clung to number two for the second straight week, making $21.6 million.
After floating on top of the charts since its record-breaking June 8 premiere, “Finding Dory” sank to third place with $20.3 million.
The sequel to the 2003 hit “Finding Nemo” earned $135.1 million its debut weekend, and experts project the comedy will hit $1 billion this summer.
“Max and Dave Need Wedding Dates” about hard-partying brothers searching online for plus-ones opened at $16.6 million, taking fourth place.
Fifth with $11.7 million was “The Purge: Election Year”, a dystopian thriller in which the government has sanctioned an annual night of lawlessness, violence and murder.
Rounding out the top 10 films of the weekend were:
— “Central Intelligence” ($8.1 million)
— “Independence Day: Resurgence” ($7.7 million)
— “The BFG” ($7.6 million)
— “The Shallows” ($4.8 million)
— “Sultan” ($2.2 million)
