Lionsgate's latest venture into the dystopian world of Panem is off to a strong start, with 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes' earning over $45 million on its opening weekend at the domestic box office. However, the journey to create a successful spinoff franchise proves challenging for Lionsgate, as the film falls slightly behind initial expectations.
Anticipation surrounded the release, with initial tracking suggesting a potential $50 million weekend for the Hunger Games prequel. Despite not quite reaching this mark, Lionsgate remains optimistic about the film's performance, aiming for a final figure close to $50 million. However, rival studios predict a more modest outcome, estimating between $46 million and $47 million.
Opening eight years after the last Hunger Games installment, the new film explores the origins of the iconic series, adapting Suzanne Collins' book of the same name. Although the prequel received a B+ CinemaScore, marking the lowest in the franchise, it resonated strongly with female viewers, constituting 64 percent of Friday's audience.
The Hunger Games franchise, led by Jennifer Lawrence, achieved remarkable success, with all four films opening above $100 million domestically and collectively grossing $2.9 billion worldwide. 'The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes' continues this legacy, featuring a cast led by Rachel Zegler and Tom Blyth and helmed by director Francis Lawrence, returning for his fifth installment.