While the film is officially known as Le Mans '66' in the UK thanks to pesky corporate trademark issues, the movie called Ford V Ferrari across the pond has raced past expectations to take an impressive $31 million and the checkered flag at the domestic box office, according to studio estimates.
Director James Mangold's latest soared at the Stateside charts, and has also done solid business worldwide, taking in more than $52 million globally, which is a refreshing boost of success for dramatic movies aimed at adults. Turns out people really did want to watch Matt Damon and Christian Bale try to beat Ferrari at their own game.
War drama Midway, last week's champ, slipped to second place, adding $8.7 million for a running total of $35.1 million. But there was bad news for the latest version of Charlie's Angels, which appeared unable to connect with its target audience or wider cine-crowds. $8.6 million is a rotten start for a movie that was supposed to launch a new franchise, and while its own global haul was a little better on $27.9 million, it's still not likely to make Sony's accountants very happy. And given that a hefty chunk of its intended audience was female, there's a big, frosty challenge coming from Disney's animation team next weekend.
Comedy Playing With Fire fell to fourth on $8.5 million, with Last Christmas taking another slip to fifth and $6.7 million.
Doctor Sleep, which had a disappointing start, took a tumble of its own, landing sixth with $6.1 million, ahead of the debut of The Good Liar, opening soft in seventh via $5.6 million. Not a great week for Warner Bros., then, but the company can take heart in the continued success of Joker, now the best-performing R-rated film to date. It made $5.6 million in the States at eighth this weekend, but joined the billion dollar club worldwide. And that's without scoring an opening in China, which makes it all the more impressive.
Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil was down a couple of places to ninth and $5.2 million, while Harriet wrapped up the top 10 with $4.7 million.