Disney’s Maleficent debuted to a powerful $70 million from 3,948 theaters at the North American box office in a major win for star Angelina Jolie and Disney. Overseas, the live-action fairy tale took in an impressive $100.6 million for a worldwide total of $170.6 million.
Jolie. as the infamous sorceress fromSleeping Beauty — marked the best opening of Jolie’s career. In North America, the movie bested the $60.2 million launch of Kung Fu Panda (2008), the $50.9 million grossed by Wanted(2008) and the $50.3 million debut of Mr. & Mrs. Smith(2005).
Observers believe Maleficent benefited greatly from targeting girls and moms, the same core audience that turned Disney’sFrozen into a global Goliath. Females made up 60 percent of the audience, while 30 percent of ticket buyers were under the age of 18.
The PG-rated fantasy beat forecasts to easily top all films over the weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday. Though “Maleficent” was early on considered a risky endeavor for Disney that might turn away family audiences by retelling “Sleeping Beauty” from the villain’s perspective, the film emerged as a hit largely because of the draw of Jolie.
Star power has been increasingly elusive in modern Hollywood, where name-brand concepts often rule the box-office. But Jolie, in her first live-action starring role in years, drove interest for “Maleficent” despite lackluster reviews from critics.