The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard Tops Opening Weekend at the Box Office

Despite some rough reviews, The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard is leading the box office in its opening weekend. It’s a pretty quiet weekend, with the action-comedy sequel earning just $11.6 million over the weekend to bring its domestic box office total to $17 million. That’s enough to take the top spot from A Quiet Place Part II, which last week became the first film since the pandemic began to earn $100 million at the box office. This weekend it’s in second place with $9.4 million. That brings the film’s domestic box office total to $125.2 million.

As for The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, despite three bankable stars in Ryan Reynolds, Salma Hayek, and Samuel L. Jackson, it’s received poor reviews. ComicBook.com’s Patrick Cavanagh gave it a middling review, writing:

“With three leads as charming as the ones featured in The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, it’s hard not to like seeing them getting caught in one another’s crossfire, in ways both literal and figurative. The slightly altered dynamic created by Hayek elevates the material from its predecessor, while the shorter run time also adds more urgency to the overall experience. Even with those improvements, the film suffers from an identity crisis: it holds back on both the humor and the action to create an experience that seemingly wants to be more grounded, yet never really needs to be. Rather than being a demolition derby between three of the more beloved actors of their generation, it feels more like a game of bumper cars with acceleration inhibitors, constantly pumping the breaks instead of letting its stars go gull throttle.”

What do you think of The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard? Let us know in the comments section. Keep reading to see the full top 10 films at the box office this weekend.

1. The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard

• Opening Weekend
• Weekend: $11.67 million
• Total: $17 million

The world’s most lethal odd couple — bodyguard Michael Bryce and hit man Darius Kincaid — are back for another life-threatening mission. Still unlicensed and under scrutiny, Bryce is forced into action by Darius’s even more volatile wife. Soon, all three are in over their heads when a madman’s sinister plot threatens to leave Europe in total chaos.

The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard is directed by Patrick Hughes from a screenplay written by Tom O’Connor and Brandon and Phillip Murphy. The film stars Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Salma Hayek, Richard E. Grant, Frank Grillo, Tom Hopper, Antonio Banderas, and Morgan Freeman.

2. A Quiet Place Part II

• Week Four
• Weekend: $9.4 million
• Total: $125.2 million

Following the deadly events at home, the Abbott family must now face the terrors of the outside world as they continue their fight for survival in silence. Forced to venture into the unknown, they quickly realize that the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threats that lurk beyond the sand path.

A Quiet Place Part II is directed by John Krasinski. The film stars Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe, Cillian Murphy, and Djimon Hounsou.

3. Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway

• Week Two
• Weekend: $6.1 million
• Total: $20.3 million

Despite his efforts, Peter can’t seem to shake his reputation for mischief among the other rabbits. Once he adventures out of the garden Peter finds himself in a world where mischief is appreciated, but soon his family come to bring him home.

Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway is directed by Will Gluck, from a screenplay he co-wrote with Patrick Burleigh, based on the Peter Rabbit stories of Beatrix Potter. The film features the voices of James Corden, Elizabeth Debicki, and Margot Robbie., and stars Rose Byrne, Domhnall Gleeson, and David Oyelowo in live-action roles.

4. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It

• Week Three
• Weekend: $5.15 million
• Total: $67.4 million

Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren take on one of the most sensational cases of their careers after a cop stumbles upon a dazed and bloodied young man walking down the road. Accused of murder, the suspect claims demonic possession as his defense, forcing the Warrens into a supernatural inquiry unlike anything they’ve ever seen before.

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It is directed by Michael Chaves from a screenplay by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, based on the 1981 Arne Cheyenne Johnson murder trial. The film stars Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Ruairi O’Connor, Sarah Catherine Hook, and Julian Hilliard.

5. Cruella

• Week Four
• Weekend: $5.1 million
• Total: $64.7 million

Estella is a young and clever grifter who’s determined to make a name for herself in the fashion world. She soon meets a pair of thieves who appreciate her appetite for mischief, and together they build a life for themselves on the streets of London. However, when Estella befriends fashion legend Baroness von Hellman, she embraces her wicked side to become the raucous and revenge-bent Cruella.

Cruella is directed by Craig Gillespie with a screenplay by Dana Fox and Tony McNamara, from a story by Aline Brosh McKenna, Kelly Marcel, and Steve Zissis.. based on the villain of Dodie Smith’s 1956 novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians and Disney’s animated film adaptation, 1961’s 101 Dalmations. The film stars  Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry, Paul Walter Hauser, Emily Beecham, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, and Mark Strong.

6. In the Heights

• Week Two
• Weekend: $4.2 million
• Total: $19.66 million

In Washington Heights, N.Y., the scent of warm coffee hangs in the air just outside of the 181st St. subway stop, where a kaleidoscope of dreams rallies a vibrant and tight-knit community. At the intersection of it all is a likable and magnetic bodega owner who hopes, imagines and sings about a better life.

In the Heights is directed by Jon M. Chu, from a screenplay written by Quiara Alegría Hudes, based on the musical of the same name created by Hudes and Lin-Manuel Miranda. The film stars Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera, Olga Merediz, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Gregory Diaz IV, and Jimmy Smits.

7. Spirit Untamed

• Week: Three
• Weekend: $1.6 million
• Total: $13.8 million

After moving to a sleepy little town, young Lucky Prescott befriends a wild mustang named Spirit, who shares her rebellious spirit. When a heartless wrangler plans to capture Spirit and his herd, Lucky and her new friends embark on the adventure of a lifetime to rescue the horse that forever changed her life.

Spirit Untamed is directed by Elaine Bogan and Ennio Torresan Jr. The film’s voice cast includes Isabela Merced, Jake Gyllenhaal, Marsai Martin, Mckenna Grace, Julianne Moore, Walton Goggins, and Eiza González.

8. 12 Might Orphans

• Week Two
• Weekend: $870,000
• Total: $1.25 million

During the Great Depression, Rusty Russell gives up a privileged position to coach football at an orphanage in Fort Worth, Texas. Whipping his young players into shape, they soon become an inspiration to their city, state and an entire nation.

12 Mighty Orphans is directed by Ty Roberts from a screenplay he co-wrote with Lane Garrison and Kevin Meyer, based on the non-fiction book Twelve Mighty Orphans: The Inspiring True Story of the Mighty Mites Who Ruled Texas Football by Jim Dent. The film stars Luke Wilson, Vinessa Shaw, Wayne Knight, Jake Austin Walker, Jacob Lofland, Levi Dylan, Robert Duvall, and Martin Sheen.

9. The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2

• Week Two
• Weekend: $585.500
• Total: $1.99 million

Bestselling author Carl Black suspects his neighbor is a vampire.

The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2 is directed by Deon Taylor from a screenplay he co-wrote with Corey Harrell. The film stars Mike Epps, Katt Williams, Bresha Webb, Lil Duval, Zulay Henao, Tyrin Turner, Michael Blackson, Andrew Bachelor, Gary Owen, and Danny Trejo 

10. Wrath of Man

• Week Seven
• Weekend: $448,00
• Total: $26.8 million

Mysterious and wild-eyed, a new security guard for a cash truck surprises his co-workers when he unleashes precision skills during a heist. The crew is left wondering who he is and where he came from. Soon, the marksman’s ultimate motive becomes clear as he takes dramatic and irrevocable steps to settle a score.

Wrath of Man is directed by Guy Ritchie, based on the French film Cash Truck. The film stars Jason Statham, Holt McCallany, Jeffrey Donovan, Josh Hartnett, Laz Alonso, Chris Reilly, Raúl Castillo, DeObia Oparei, Eddie Marsan, and Scott Eastwood.