Zendaya’s tennis film ‘Challengers’ dominates the weekend box office

The sexy tennis drama “Challengers” served up a smashing victory at the box office this weekend, raking in an impressive $15 million in ticket sales. The film, directed by Luca Guadagnino and starring Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O’Connor, opened in 3,477 locations across the U.S. and Canada.

“We’re obviously very, very happy with the number,” said Kevin Wilson, head of theatrical distribution for Amazon Studios and MGM. “Looking at the audience who showed up, it’s really encouraging. It’s not the easiest audience to get to theaters.”

Women made up the majority of ticket buyers at 58%, with a younger demographic of 41% falling between the ages of 18 and 24. Large format screens, including IMAX, accounted for 40% of the opening weekend grosses, with 55% of audiences citing Zendaya as the reason for attending.

Zendaya, known for her roles in blockbuster franchises like “Spider-Man” and “Dune,” took center stage in “Challengers,” marking her first leading role in a major film. The movie, which teases a steamy and competitive love triangle between tennis players, has garnered positive reviews and currently holds an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

In second place at the box office was the faith-based film “Unsung Hero,” followed by “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” “Civil War,” and “Abigail.” With the summer movie season on the horizon, audiences can look forward to the action-comedy “The Fall Guy” starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt.

Overall, April of 2024 proved to be a successful month for diverse and critically acclaimed films, setting the stage for an exciting summer at the movies.