‘Challengers’ leads box-office sales with $15M opening weekend (NASDAQ:AMZN)

Tennis drama “Challengers” was the top box-office draw in its opening weekend with $15 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates released on Sunday. Amazon Studios and MGM distributed the film, which stars Zendaya, in 3,477 locations in the United States and Canada.

Women made up 58% of ticket buyers, while 41% were ages 18 to 24. More than half audiences said they went to see the R-rated movie because of Zendaya, according to PostTrak exit poll reported by Deadline.

Faith-based film “Unsung Hero” was in second place with an estimated $7.8 million from 2,832 theaters. The movie, distributed by Lionsgate, is based on the true story of the Smallbone family’s journey from Australia to the United States as they navigated the country music scene.

In third place was “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” with $7.2 million in its fifth weekend. A24’s “Civil War” followed in fourth place with $7 million in its third weekend, lifting its domestic total to $56.2 million. Horror movie “Abigail” generated $5.3 million for fifth place.

The summer movie season next week will start with the premiere of action-comedy “The Fall Guy” starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday to Sunday at U.S. and Canadian locations tracked by Comscore. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.

1. “Challengers,” $15 million.

2. “Unsung Hero,” $7.8 million.

3. “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” $7.2 million.

4. “Civil War,” 7 million.

5. “Abigail,” $5.3 million.

6. “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,” $3.9 million

7. “Kung Fu Panda 4,” $3.6 million.

8. “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” $3.3 million.

9. “Dune: Part Two,” $2 million.

10. “Boy Kills World,” $1.7 million.