With COVID-19 cases dropping and vaccines being administered quickly in the U.S., the domestic box office showed signs of life this weekend. Warner Bros. Pictures debuted Tom & Jerry in both theaters and on HBO Max and the film managed to bring in a surprising $13.7 million from 2,475 theaters.
The opening marks the second-highest theatrical opening since the pandemic brought things to a halt. The only film to best it was Warner Bros.’ own Wonder Woman 1984 with $16.7 million. That movie was also released in both theaters and on HBO Max at the same time.
Warner Bros. says the movie had a big boost from private “Pod” rental bookings at participating theater circuits. The studio says Tom & Jerry has had over 10,000 bookings so far and only half of them were for opening weekend.
Tom & Jerry, which received a great A- CinemaScore from audiences, also brought in $19.4 million from international markets and is now up to $25.1 million overseas. The movie’s worldwide sum is $38.8 million.
The film’s top international markets include China ($12.3 million), Russia ($3.3 million), United Arab Emirates ($1.1 million), and Brazil ($1 million).
With New York movie theaters reopening on March 5 and a great CinemaScore, Tom & Jerry should be able to enjoy a strong second weekend at the box office as well.
Tom & Jerry was directed by Tim Story (Fantastic Four, Think Like a Man, Barbershop) and produced by Chris DeFaria (The LEGO Movie 2, Ready Player One, Gravity). The movie was written by Kevin Costello and is based on characters created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera.
One of the most beloved rivalries in history is reignited when Jerry moves into New York City’s finest hotel on the eve of “the wedding of the century,” forcing the event’s desperate planner to hire Tom to get rid of him.
The ensuing cat and mouse battle threatens to destroy her career, the wedding and possibly the hotel itself. But soon, an even bigger problem arises: a diabolically ambitious staffer conspiring against all three of them.
An eye-popping blend of classic animation and live action, Tom and Jerry’s new big-screen adventure stakes new ground for the iconic characters and forces them to do the unthinkable… work together to save the day.
The film is rated PG for cartoon violence, rude humor and brief language.
Tom & Jerry stars Chloë Grace Moretz (Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, The Addams Family), Michael Peña (Cesar Chavez, American Hustle, Ant-Man), and Rob Delaney (Deadpool 2, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw).
Also starring are Colin Jost (How to Be Single, Saturday Night Live), and Ken Jeong (Crazy Rich Asians, The Hangover, Transformers: Dark of the Moon).