Zendaya’s Movie Dominates Weekend Box Office

Zendaya’s latest venture into the world of cinema, the movie “Challengers,” has taken the top spot at the weekend box office. The steamy tennis drama, directed by Luca Guadagnino, opened in 3,477 locations across the U.S. and Canada. How much did the movie make? And what was Zandaya’s contribution to its earnings? Continue reading to find out.

Zendaya’s Movie Serves Up a Win at the Box Office

The film, which also stars Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor, follows a competitive and passionate love triangle among tennis players. It received positive reviews from critics, boasting an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a B+ CinemaScore from opening day audiences.

Zendaya’s star power was a significant draw for audiences, with 55% of moviegoers citing her as the reason for attending. The movie made an impressive $15 million in ticket sales, making it the most-watched film of the weekend. In fact, Zendaya movies accounted for around 26% of the overall box office this weekend, with the re-release of “Dune: Part Two” in IMAX theaters contributing nearly $2 million.

Kevin Wilson, head of theatrical distribution for Amazon Studios and MGM, expressed his satisfaction with the film’s performance, particularly highlighting the efforts of the studio’s publicity and marketing teams. He also emphasized the importance of Zendaya’s presence in promoting the film.

Originally planned for release in the fall of 2023, “Challengers” faced delays due to the actors’ strike last July. However, the studio strategically rescheduled the release to this weekend, allowing Zendaya and her co-stars to actively promote the film.

While “Challengers” marked Zendaya’s first leading role in a major film, she has previously gained acclaim for her performances in franchises such as “Spider-Man” and “Dune.” The success of “Challengers” further solidifies her position as a rising star in Hollywood.

A Look at Zendaya’s Meteoric Rise

Zendaya’s journey to superstardom is one of talent, dedication, and a whole lot of sparkle. Buckle up as we trace the key moments that transformed this Oakland native into a global icon.

2010-2013: Disney Days Launch Her Career

At just 14, Zendaya landed the role of Rocky Blue in the Disney Channel sitcom, “Shake It Up.” The show became a smash hit, propelling her and co-star Bella Thorne into the spotlight. During this time, Zendaya also dipped her toes into music, releasing singles like “Watch Me” and even competing on “Dancing With the Stars.”

2015-2018: Leading Lady and Beyond

Zendaya transitioned from sidekick to leading lady with her own Disney Channel series, “K.C. Undercover.” Here, she showcased her comedic timing and action-hero skills as a high school student turned secret agent. This wasn’t all! She even served as a producer for the show, proving her multifaceted talent.

2017: Breakout Year

This year marked a turning point. Zendaya stepped into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, captivating audiences as MJ in “Spider-Man: Homecoming” movie. Her chemistry with Tom Holland was undeniable, and she instantly cemented her place as a Hollywood heavyweight. But wait, there’s more! Zendaya also stole the show as a trapeze artist in the musical blockbuster, “The Greatest Showman.”

2019: Euphoria and Beyond

Zendaya took a dramatic turn with the HBO series, “Euphoria.” Her portrayal of Rue, a teen grappling with addiction, earned her widespread critical acclaim and an Emmy Award – making her the youngest recipient of the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series category. She has continued to redefine her image, starring in Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi epic “Dune” and returning as MJ in the “Spider-Man” sequels.

2022: Second Emmy and First Golden Globe

The highly anticipated second season of “Euphoria” premiered, bringing back fan favorites like Zendaya’s Rue, Jules, Maddy, Cassie, Fezco, and Nate Jacobs. New faces were also introduced, and the season promised to be dramatic.

Zendaya’s talent was once again recognized as she won her second Emmy Award for her outstanding performance in “Euphoria.” This win cemented her status as a powerhouse actress.

Adding to her impressive collection of accolades, Zendaya secured a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance in a Television Series – Drama for her role in “Euphoria.” Although she couldn’t attend the ceremony, she expressed her gratitude via social media, thanking her fellow nominees, the Euphoria team, and everyone who connected with Rue’s character.

Weekend Box Office Results

Following “Challengers” in the weekend box office rankings was the faith-based film “Unsung Hero,” which earned an estimated $7.8 million from 2,832 locations. Rounding out the top five were “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” “Civil War,” and the horror movie “Abigail,” earning $7.2 million, $7 million, and $5.3 million respectively.

With the summer movie season on the horizon, next weekend will see the release of the Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt action-comedy “The Fall Guy.

The complete weekend box office results are as follows:

1. “Challengers,” $15 million.
2. “Unsung Hero,” $7.8 million.
3. “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” $7.2 million.
4. “Civil War,” $7 million.
5. “Abigail,” $5.3 million.
6. “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,” $3.9 million.
7. “Kung Fu Panda 4,” $3.6 million.
8. “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” $3.3 million.
9. “Dune: Part Two,” $2 million.
10. “Boy Kills World,” $1.7 million.

What is your favorite movie on the list?

You may also like: Iconic Zendaya Fashion Moments Through the Years