Mythri Movie Makers’ Indian blockbuster “Pushpa 2: The Rule,” headlined by Allu Arjun, roared to a $92.5 million four-day weekend, according to numbers from Comscore. That made it the third-highest grossing film in the world after “Moana 2” and “Wicked.”
“Pushpa 2” is a sequel to Sukumar’s 2021 hit “Pushpa: The Rise,” which grossed some $46 million. In the sequel, also directed by Sukumar, Allu Arjun reprises his role as Pushpa Raj, the audacious red sandalwood smuggler who, after humiliating Superintendent of Police Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat, ascends to greater power in the underworld. As Pushpa’s influence grows, he faces adversaries, including the vengeful Shekhawat and rival smuggler Mangalam Srinu.
The film opened on Thursday, Dec. 5 with a worldwide opening day gross of $34.6 million, erasing the Indian opening day record of $26 million set by S.S. Rajamouli’s “RRR.” It released across 38 global territories and has earned $9.3 million in North America, including $4.8 million over the three-day weekend. It is currently at No. 4 on the North American box office chart. “Pushpa 2” also comfortably sailed past the previous record holder for 2024, “Kalki 2898 AD,” which had an opening day of $21 million.
Popular on Variety
“Pushpa 2” is now the third-highest Indian grosser of 2024 after “Kalki 2898 AD” ($141 million) and “Stree 2” ($103 million). If it maintains its current momentum, “Pushpa 2” should become the highest Indian grosser of the year in a matter of days. The film also delivered $1.4 million in global Imax box office across 16 markets. In India, the film generated $650,000 from 31 Imax screens, marking the biggest local language Imax opening of 2024 and the fourth-highest Imax opening ever in the market.
Disney’s “Moana 2” enjoyed a $155.7 million worldwide weekend, including $52 million in North America, and now has a cumulative gross of $600 million. Universal’s “Wicked” had a $61.7 million worldwide weekend, including $34.8 million in North America, for a cumulative total of $455.5 million.
In fourth place worldwide, “Gladiator II” battled to a $29.4 million weekend for a total of $368.4 million. Rounding off the top five worldwide was Chinese hit “Her Story” with a $12.2 million weekend and a total of $74.8 million.