Mc Richard Paglicawan
MANILA, June 2, 2014 – Disney’s “Maleficent” bewitched the Philippine box office well beyond expectations for a No.1 finish, taking in an enchanted P179.9-million in five days nationwide for the May 28 to June 1 weekend. This according to the local office of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International, the film’s distributor.
That opening gross is the year’s second-biggest, bested only by last April’s “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” (P251-M) but higher than “X-Men: Days of Future Past” (P175-M) which bowed last week.
Powered by positive word-of-mouth from audiences, “Maleficent” opened tremendously huge that it already surpassed the lifetime revenues of Disney’s biggest non-Marvel titles, namely “Prince of Persia” (P156-M), “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” (P155-M) and “Alice in Wonderland” (P140-M).
The “Sleeping Beauty” companion film also shattered the record for Biggest Opening Weekend for an Angelina Jolie Live-Action Movie Ever, likewise smashing the lifetime grosses of “Salt” (P131-M), “Wanted” (P95-M) and “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” (P83-M).
Overseas, “Maleficent” also reigned over the weekend box office, debuting to a magical $70 million domestically (U.S.) and $100.6 million internationally.
The film’s stateside figure ranks as a record domestic debut for Jolie, edging out “Kung Fu Panda” ($60.2-M), “Wanted” ($50.9-M) and “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” ($50.3-M).
Back in the Philippines, the fairytale-based adventure reeled off in 264 screens (including 8 IMAX) in 122 locations. SM North EDSA garnered the largest share of box-office receipts with P8.41-M, followed closely by SM Mall of Asia (P8.29-M), SM Megamall (P8.06-M), SM Cebu (P7.09-M) and Trinoma (P6.19-M.)
Impressive grosses were also posted by Glorietta 4 (P4.74-M), Ayala Cebu (P4.07-M), Bonifacio High Street (P4.03-M), SM Aura (P3.47-M) and Alabang Town Center (P3.39-M).
Rounding up the Top 20 cinemas are Newport City (P3.33-M), Eastwood (P3.05-M), SM Southmall (P2.97-M), Power Plant (P2.96-M), Greenbelt 3 (P2.85-M), Greenhills Promenade (P2.82-M), SM Fairview (P2.57-M), Gateway (P2.56-M), SM Clark (P2.49-M) and Market! Market! (P2.48-M).
“Maleficent”explores the untold story of Disney’s most iconic villain from the classic “Sleeping Beauty” and the elements of her betrayal that ultimately turn her pure heart to stone. Driven by revenge and a fierce desire to protect the moors over which she presides, Maleficent cruelly places an irrevocable curse upon the human king’s newborn infant Aurora. As the child grows, Aurora is caught in the middle of the seething conflict between the forest kingdom she has grown to love and the human kingdom that holds her legacy. Maleficent realizes that Aurora may hold the key to peace in the land and is forced to take drastic actions that will change both worlds forever.
The film stars Angelina Jolie as Maleficent, Sharlto Copley, Elle Fanning, Sam Riley, Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple and Lesley Manville.
Now playing across the Philippines in 3D, 2D, MAX 3D and 4DX formats, “Maleficent” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.
