“Finding Dory” makes history with $136.2 mln U.S. bow

PanARMENIAN.Net - Good things come to those who wait — at least in the case of a forgetful blue fish named Dory. Some 13 years after Finding Nemo first hit theaters, Pixar and Disney's sequel Finding Dory made a gigantic splash at the box office, landing the biggest domestic opening of all time for an animated title with $136.2 million from 4,305 theaters. It's also the only animated movie to crack the overall list of top 20 openings, ranking No. 18, The Hollywood Reporter reveals.

Finding Dory easily topped the box-office chart, while Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart's Central Intelligence did solid business in its opening, earning $34.5 million from 3,508 theaters to come in No. 2. Some rival studios have the action-comedy coming in higher, but Sunday's NBA Finals Game 7 could subdue moviegoing later on Father's Day.

Overseas, Finding Dory grossed $50 million as it rolled out in 32 percent of the marketplace for a global bow of $186.2 million, including a Pixar-best $17.5 million in China and $7.6 million in Australia.

The previous crown-holder for top animated domestic launch was DreamWorks Animation's Shrek the Third, which debuted to $121.6 million in 2007. Until now, Pixar's best was Toy Story 3 (2010) with $110.3 million.

Finding Dory — which garnered an A CinemaScore — is a needed boost for the summer box office, which has seen a number of sequels underperform. It also reminds of the power of families in driving mega openings, as well as underscoring the nostalgia for Nemo. While families made up the largest chunk of the audience (65 percent), adults turned out in force (26 percent), followed by teens (9 percent). Imax theaters, not generally a family destination, turned in $5 million domestically.

"In a funny way, the 13-year separation between the first and second movie was serendipitous," said Disney domestic distribution chief Dave Hollis. "It's part of what created a want-to-see, need-to-see movement. And it's the 17th consecutive Pixar film to receive some variation of an A CinemaScore."

Finding Dory's Friday haul of $55.2 million marked the largest single day ever for an animated film, eclipsing the record $47 million earned by Shrek the Third on its first Saturday. Finding Dory kicked things off by earning $9.2 million in Thursday-night previews, likewise a record for an animated pic, besting last year's Minions ($6.2 million).

Directed by Andrew Stanton and Angus MacLane, the follow-up sees Finding Nemo voice stars Ellen DeGeneres and Albert Brooks returning to voice the roles of Dory and Marlin, respectively. Newcomer Hayden Rolence voices the character of Nemo.

The tale centers on Dory's attempts to reunite with her parents, whom she lost years ago. Accompanied by Nemo and Marlin, Dory arrives at a marine institute, where she engages with new friends, including a white beluga whale named Destiny (Ty Burrell), a white shark (Kaitlin Olson) and a cranky octopus (Ed O'Neill).