Sonic the Hedgehog Pulls Ahead to Win Second Weekend at the Box Office

Sonic the Hedgehog managed to pull ahead of The Call of the Wild this week to win its second straight weekend at the box office. After having the biggest opening weekend ever for a movie based on a video game, Sonic the Hedgehog looked like it was falling behind The Call of the Wild, the Jack London adaptation starring Harrison Ford after Friday’s numbers came in. Instead, The Call of the Wild will open in second place with $24.8 million in its first weekend while Sonic the Hedgehog edges out the newcomer with a $26.3 million second frame, bringing its total to $106.6 million. Both films blend live-action and CGI. Paramount Picture’s Sonic movie features Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic the Hedgehog and Jim Carrey playing Sonic’s nemesis, the mad scientist Doctor Robotnik.

Both films received mixed reviews, ranked “fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes, but not “certified fresh.” ComicBook.com’s Spencer Perry gave Sonic the Hedgehog a 3 out of 5 in his review.

Perry writes, “Since the conversation will naturally always land there, I don’t think Sonic is the best video game movie to date but the competition is so slim that the argument could certainly be made by parties about its claim to the crown. Sonic the Hedgehog succeeds where so many other video game adaptations fail because it captures the spirit of the games and the character. It doesn’t matter that it’s not a 1:1 adaptation of the games, because Sonic’s core personality and need for adventure are fully on display and the good-natured narrative at its center is heartwarming and wholesome entertainment. I eagerly await to see if the film gets the sequel it sets up, because this is a world that I could continue to find endearing and enjoyable, which is not something to be said about so many other kid movie franchises these days.”

Meanwhile, Birds of Prey slides into third place. The film is expected to earn $7 million in its third weekend at the box office, bringing its total up to $72 million. Keep reading to see this weekend’s top 10 at the box office.

1. Sonic the Hedgehog

Week Two
Friday: $6.4 million
Weekend: $26.3 million
Total: $106.6 million

Sonic tries to navigate the complexities of life on Earth with his newfound best friend — a human named Tom Wachowski. They must soon join forces to prevent the evil Dr. Robotnik from capturing Sonic and using his powers for world domination.

Based on the  Sega video game franchise, Sonic the Hedgehog is directed by Jeff Fowler from a screenplay written by Pat Casey and Josh Miller. The film stars Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic with Jim Carrey, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Natasha Rothwell, Adam Pally, and Neal McDonough. 

2. The Call of the Wild

Opening Weekend
Friday: $8 million
Weekend: $24.8 million

Buck is a big-hearted dog whose blissful domestic life gets turned upside down when he is suddenly uprooted from his California home and transplanted to the exotic wilds of the Alaskan Yukon in the 1890s. As the newest rookie on a mail-delivery dog sled team, Buck experiences the adventure of a lifetime as he ultimately finds his true place in the world.

The Call of the Wild is based on the 1903 novel of the same name by Jack London. The film is directed by Chris Sanders from a screenplay written by Michael Green. It stars Harrison Ford, Dan Stevens, Omar Sy, Karen Gillan, Bradley Whitford, and Colin Woodell.

3. Birds of Prey

Week Three
Friday: $1.9 million
Weekend: $7 million
Total: $72.5 million

It’s open season on Harley Quinn when her explosive breakup with the Joker puts a big fat target on her back. Unprotected and on the run, Quinn faces the wrath of narcissistic crime boss Black Mask, his right-hand man, Victor Zsasz, and every other thug in the city. But things soon even out for Harley when she becomes unexpected allies with three deadly women — Huntress, Black Canary and Renee Montoya.

Birds of Prey is directed by Cathy Yan, written by Christina Hodson, and stars Margot Robbie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Rosie Perez, Chris Messina, Ella Jay Basco, Ali Wong, and Ewan McGregor.

4. Brahms: The Boy II

Opening Weekend
Friday: $2.2 million
Weekend: $5.9 million

When a young family moves to the Heelshire’s residence, terror strikes when a boy from the family discovers a doll called Brahms that appears to be eerily human.

Brahms: The Boy II is directed by William Brent Bell from a screenplay written by Stacey Menear. The film stars Katie Holmes, Ralph Ineson, Owain Yeoman, and Christopher Convery. 

5. Bad Boys for Life

Week Six
Friday: $1.57 million
Weekend: $5.86 million
Total: $191.1 million

Old-school cops Mike Lowery and Marcus Burnett team up to take down the vicious leader of a Miami drug cartel. Newly created elite team AMMO of the Miami police department along with Mike and Marcus go up against the ruthless Armando Armas.

Bad Boys for Life is directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah and stars Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Charles Melton, Paola Núñez, Kate del Castillo, Nicky Jam, and Joe Pantoliano. 

6. 1917

Week Nine
Friday: $1.2 million
Weekend: $4.4 million
Total: $152 million

During World War I, two British soldiers — Lance Cpl. Schofield and Lance Cpl. Blake — receive seemingly impossible orders. In a race against time, they must cross over into enemy territory to deliver a message that could potentially save 1,600 of their fellow comrades — including Blake’s own brother.

1917 is directed by Sam Mendes. The film stars George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman, Mark Strong, Andrew Scott, Richard Madden, Claire Duburcq, Colin Firth, and Benedict Cumberbatch.

7. Fantasy Island

Week Two
Friday: $1.26 million
Weekend: $4.2 million
Total: $20.1 million

The enigmatic Mr Roarke makes the secret dreams of his lucky guests come true at a luxurious but remote tropical resort, but when the fantasies turn into nightmares, the guests have to solve the island’s mystery in order to escape with their lives.

Based on the 1977 ABC television series of the same name created by Gene Levitt, Fantasy Island is directed by Jeff Wadlow and stars Michael Peña, Maggie Q, Lucy Hale, Austin Stowell, Portia Doubleday, Jimmy O. Yang, Ryan Hansen, and Michael Rooker.

8. Parasite

Week 20
Friday: $850,000
Weekend: $3.24 million
Total: $48.9 million

Greed and class discrimination threaten the newly formed symbiotic relationship between the wealthy Park family and the destitute Kim clan.

Parasite is directed by Bong Joon-ho, who co-wrote the screenplay with Han Jin-won. The film stars Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Yeo-jeong, Choi Woo-shik, and Park So-dam.

9. Jamanji: The Next Level

Week 11
Friday: $750,000
Weekend: $3 million
Total: $311 million

When Spencer goes back into the fantastical world of Jumanji, pals Martha, Fridge and Bethany re-enter the game to bring him home. But the game is now broken — and fighting back. Everything the friends know about Jumanji is about to change, as they soon discover there’s more obstacles and more danger to overcome.
 
Jumanji: The Next Level is directed by Jake Kasdan from a screenplay written by Kasdan, Jeff Pinkner and Scott Rosenberg. The sequel stars Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Karen Gillan, Nick Jonas, Alex Wolff, Morgan Turner, Ser’Darius Blain, Madison Iseman, Awkwafina, Danny Glover, and Danny DeVito.

10. The Photograph

Week Two
Friday: $870,000
Weekend: $2.8 million
Total: $17.6 million

When famed photographer Christina Eames dies unexpectedly, she leaves her estranged daughter, Mae, hurt, angry and full of questions. When Mae finds a photograph tucked away in a safe-deposit box, she soon finds herself delving into her mother’s early life — an investigation that leads to an unexpected romance with a rising journalist,

The Photograph is written and directed by Stella Meghie and stars Issa Rae and Lakeith Stanfield.