‘Sinners’ topples ‘Minecraft’ to lead box office
This image released by Warner Bros Pictures shows Hailee Steinfeld in a scene from “Sinners.” (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)
LOS ANGELES – The horror film “Sinners” opened to $45.6 million this weekend to knock “A Minecraft Movie” from the top of the chart, according to industry estimates released Sunday.
Director Ryan Coogler’s film is a period piece set in the Mississippi Delta in 1932, and stars Michael B. Jordan, in a dual role as twin brothers, and Filipino American actress Hailee Steinfeld.
Music also plays a significant role in the film, which includes blues legend Buddy Guy in a dramatic role.
Steinfeld portrays the role of Mary, stepping into a mysterious and emotionally layered character in the haunting thriller that marks her return to the big screen.
The Fil-Am star shares the screen with a dynamic ensemble cast that includes Delroy Lindo, Jayme Lawson, Li Jun Li, Wunmi Mosaku, Jack O’Connell, Omar Miller and Miles Caton.
Directed, written and co-produced by acclaimed filmmaker Ryan Coogler – best known for “Black Panther” and “Creed” – the film tells the gripping story of twin brothers, both portrayed by Jordan, who return to their hometown only to confront a sinister force.
Meanwhile, “A Minecraft Movie” kept chugging along in its third weekend in North American theaters, grossing $41.3 million, Comscore reported.
Third place went to “The King of Kings,” an animated, faith-based offering from Angel Studios that took in $17.2 million over Easter weekend.
The film is based on a Charles Dickens story about a boy and his father who explore the life of Christ, and boasts an all star cast of voice actors including Kenneth Branagh, Uma Thurman, Pierce Brosnan, Forest Whitaker, Ben Kingsley and Oscar Isaac, who plays Jesus.
The spy thriller “The Amateur,” starring Rami Malek, was fourth with $7.2 million in its second weekend, followed by “Warfare,” a drama set in the Iraq war, which made $4.8 million Friday through Sunday in its second week of release.
Rounding out the top 10 domestic releases were “Drop” ($3.3 million), “Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can’t Sing” ($2.76 million), a re-release of 2005’s “Pride & Prejudice” ($2.7 million), “The Chosen: The Last Supper — Season 5, Part Three” ($1.8 million) and “Disney’s Snow White” ($1.1 million). (With CNS report)
