“Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” kicked off with $16 million in North American ticket gross sales throughout Friday and preview screenings in 4,345 theaters. That just about matches the $16.6 million that its predecessor “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” earned on its opening day in November 2021. Sony’s sci-fi comedy sequel will simply high home charts, although its work isn’t performed but contemplating its $100 million manufacturing funds.

That’s an uptick within the price ticket from “Afterlife,” which value $75 million earlier than advertising and distribution. That franchise revival almost tripled its $44 million home opening weekend, taking part in nicely by the Thanksgiving vacation to complete with $129 million and $204 million worldwide. Equally, “Frozen Empire” may enhance its fortunes with Easter on the finish of the month.

Critiques have been leaning extra lukewarm in comparison with the so-so acquired “Afterlife.” Early moviegoers are additionally a little bit cooler on the franchise now, with viewers survey agency Cinema Rating delivering a B+ grade. (“Afterlife” scored an A-.) “Frozen Empire” will face some competitors subsequent week with the arrival of one other “Empire,” on this case a “new” one: Warner Bros. and Legendary’s “Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire.”

Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard and McKenna Grace all return for “Frozen Empire,” with the group heading to a mysteriously frostbit Large Apple, the place the career of busting ghosts was famously invented. Unique ’80s stars Invoice Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts and William Atherton additionally reprise their “Ghostbusters” roles. Gil Kenan directs.

Additionally opening this weekend, indie banner Neon is placing out the horror movie “Immaculate” in 2,354 places. Headlined by Sydney Sweeney and helmed by her “The Voyeurs” director Michael Mohan, the style play was financed and produced by Black Bear. Business rivals are projecting a fourth place opening for “Immaculate” with about $5 million by the three-day body. It’s not a blinding debut, however the characteristic was produced on a modest funds. Critiques are optimistic, whereas quick viewers sentiment isn’t (a C grade on Cinema Rating) — as is typical for horror.

“Dune: Half Two” seems to carry onto second place. Legendary Leisure and Warner Bros.’ characteristic earned $4.45 million on Friday, down simply 45% from the $8 million it earned every week in the past. Denis Villeneuve’s sequel will put up one other sturdy maintain in its fourth weekend of launch, now seeking to push its home gross north of $230 million. “Frozen Empire” (and shortly, “Godzilla X Kong”) are knocking “Dune: Half Two” out of premium large-format auditoriums, however the sci-fi epic has actually cleaned up with these elevated ticket costs by the month of March.

Common’s “Kung Fu Panda 4” will land in bronze, projecting $14.5 million for the weekend to solely fall 52%. That’s a fairly spectacular maintain contemplating “Frozen Empire” is now the contemporary new draw for household audiences. The DreamWorks Animation sequel will get to $130 million home by its first 17 days of launch. It is going to quickly cross the overall North American gross of its predecessor, “Kung Fu Panda 3,” which completed with $143 million again in 2016.

Lionsgate’s “Arthur the King” will spherical out the highest 5, incomes $1.1 million on Friday. The Mark Wahlberg car underwhelmed in its opening and is now seeking to inch previous $14 million by its first 10 days. Contemplating its modest $19 million manufacturing funds, it gained’t be too unhealthy in the long term, however the canine story isn’t making an unlikely comeback after its smooth debut.