Warner Bros. superhero adventure “Shazam!” has zapped its way to $16.4 million on 20,520 screens in its first day in China during the start of the Qingming Holiday.
The results mark the third highest opening day in China for a Warner title behind “Aquaman” and “Batman V. Superman.”
The studio also reported that it has taken in $15.7 million in its first two days from 9,355 screens and ranks first in 48 markets.
“Shazam!” took in $2.2 million at 971 screens in its first two days in Indonesia with $1.1 million on Wednesday’s Isra Minaj holiday for the third-highest opening day for a Warner title. The results are 10% ahead of “Ant-Man” and more than double “Guardians of the Galaxy.”
Taiwan generated $1.3 million in its first two days and a 65% share while South Korea pulled in $1.1 million in its first two days. Russia debuted Thursday with $946,000 on 3,072 screens with a 57% share of the top five films. Australia opened with $636,000 including previews, on 507 screens with a 48% share and the UAE launched with $630,000 at 110 locations.
Brazil opened to an estimated $564,000 on 1,509 screens with over 60% share. France has totaled $777,000 at 566 screens in the first two days. “Shazam! opens Friday in China, Spain, U.K., and Mexico in addition to 22 smaller markets.
Warner Bros.’ “Shazam!” earned $5.9 million on Thursday in North America, topping “Pet Sematary,” which made $2.3 million. “Shazam!” is expected to nab $45 million to $50 million domestically at 4,217 locations. The DC Comics adventure centers on Billy Batson (Asher Angel), a teenager who can transform into a cheerful superhero (Zachary Levi) when someone says the magic word.
“Shazam!” has received strong critical support, earning a 92% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers praising its departure from the self-importance of the genre. Variety’s Owen Gleiberman wrote, “‘Shazam!’ … is just a light, funny, grounded, engagingly unpretentious sleight-of-hand action comedy about a boy in a (super)man’s body.”