Movie

Opening to $170.1 million at North American box office, the DC Comics film proved that it has loyal fans who go against critic reviews.

• Mar 28, 2016

AceShowbiz - Critic reviews seem to have no effect on "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice". The DC Comics movie shatters records with approximately $170.1 million debut in North America, and $254 million in the rest of the world.

The Zack Snyder-directed film was panned by critics while audience gave it a soft B grade in CinemaScore exit polls. However, heavy promotions from Warner Bros. and the cast proved to be effective in netting theatergoers. "It's the fans that speak the loudest," said Jeff Bock, a box office analyst for Exhibitor Relations. "It proves how strong these characters are."

Besides nailing the best March launch ever, "Batman v Superman" sets the record for the biggest opening for a DC Comics film and sixth-biggest domestic opening weekend of all-time. WB, which suffered from the failure of such movies as "Pan" and "Jupiter Ascending", spent roughly $400 in production and promotion. The studio is now looking at better days ahead.

"This sets us up well," said Jeff Goldstein, Warner Bros. distribution executive vice president. "We're very proud of what we've made before in the DC world and what's coming in front of us is really exciting." David Ayer's "Suicide Squad" is coming August.

The big opening owed it to higher-priced Imax, premium large-format theaters and RealD 3-D screenings. "The filmmakers delivered experientially on something that can best be seen in movie theaters," said Greg Foster, CEO of Imax Entertainment. "This is not a movie that anyone wants to see in a small venue." The audience was comprised of 66|percent| male and 63|percent| people between the age of 18 to 34.

Elsewhere at the box office, former champion "Zootopia" falls into second place with an estimated $23.1 million, followed by "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2" with approximately $18.1 million. At the third and fourth place respectively are "Miracles from Heaven" and "The Divergent Series: Allegiant" which tie at approximately $9.5 million.

1. "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" - $170.1 million
2. "Zootopia" - $23.1 million
3. "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2" - $18.1 million
4. "Miracles from Heaven" - $9.5 million
5. "The Divergent Series: Allegiant" - $9.5 million
6. "10 Cloverfield Lane" - $6 million
7. "Deadpool" - $5 million
8. "London Has Fallen - $2.9 million
9. "Hello My Name Is Doris" - $1.7 million
10. "Eye in the Sky" - $1 million