BURBANK–DC’s favorite lineup of incarcerated antiheroes arrested the global box office this weekend, with “Suicide Squad” topping $267 million and smashing records for both the film and its many players. The announcement was made today by Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President, Worldwide Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.
With a domestic total of $135.1 million for the weekend, the movie broke several records for the month of August, including: the largest opening weekend; the largest pre/midnight show with $20.5 million, which includes the largest-ever IMAX pre-shows at $2.3 million; and the largest Friday (over $65.2 million), Saturday ($38.8 million) and Sunday (over $31 million).
Internationally, “Suicide Squad” took in a total of $132 million in 57 territories, setting numerous records, including: the all-time biggest August opening; the biggest August opening for an IMAX film at $7.2 million; and the second-largest DC film opening of all time. The movie dominated the theaters in such markets as the U.K., Russia, Brazil, Australia, Mexico, France and Spain.
Worldwide, the film enjoyed the highest August weekend ever for IMAX at $18.2 million. And on both the domestic and international fronts, the film marks the highest opening ever for writer/director David Ayer, as well as for all of the film’s stars.
“We knew there was great anticipation for this film, but we are thrilled to see that translated to such a spectacular result. And with key territories like Japan, Germany and Italy yet to open, we feel confident that the Squad will continue to entertain audiences everywhere for the foreseeable future,” Kwan Vandenberg said.
“This film is such a great ride and these characters clearly connected with a broad range of moviegoers in a very real way. We congratulate the cast and filmmakers and everyone who worked on the campaign—it’s extremely gratifying to see their efforts appreciated at this level,” said Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and Distribution.
From writer and director David Ayer comes “Suicide Squad,” starring Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman and Viola Davis.
It feels good to be bad… Assemble a team of the world’s most dangerous, incarcerated Super-Villains, provide them with the most powerful arsenal at the government’s disposal, and send them off on a mission to defeat an enigmatic, insuperable entity. U.S. intelligence officer Amanda Waller has determined only a secretly convened group of disparate, despicable individuals with next to nothing to lose will do. However, once they realize they weren’t picked to succeed but chosen for their patent culpability when they inevitably fail, will the “Suicide Squad” resolve to die trying, or decide it’s every man for himself?
Written and directed by Ayer based on the characters from DC Entertainment, the film also stars Jai Courtney, Jay Hernandez, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Ike Barinholtz, Scott Eastwood, Cara Delevingne, Adam Beach, and Karen Fukuhara in her feature film debut. It is produced by Charles Roven and Richard Suckle, with Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder, Colin Wilson and Geoff Johns serving as executive producers.
Ayer’s behind-the-scenes creative team included director of photography Roman Vasyanov, production designer Oliver Scholl, editor John Gilroy, costume designer Kate Hawley and visual effects supervisor Jerome Chen. The music is by composer Steven Price.
“Suicide Squad” is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for sequences of violence and action throughout, disturbing behavior, suggestive content and language.