The Disney sequel currently holds a respectable 77 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes. The reviews aggregator’s critics consensus reads: “Mary Poppins Returns relies on the magic of its classic forebear to cast a familiar — but still solidly effective — family-friendly spell.” Express.co.uk attended the world premiere in Los Angeles, gave it four out of five stars, and said: “With a perfect blend of nostalgia and reinvention, Mary Poppins has returned to the big screens.” But reviews don’t always add up to a sizeable box office taking…
How much has Mary Poppins Returns made at the box office?
So far the only, Disney has yet to report their official opening day figures.
The studio, based in California, is scheduled to release their figures sometime in the morning, PST.
For now, the estimated takings at box office come in at approximately £3.8 million ($4.8M m) for its Wednesday previews.
Industry projections had the Mary Poppins Sequel coming in significantly higher, around £5.5 m – 6.3 m ($7 m -$8 m).
The projections were in part due to box office analysts counting on pre-sales during mid-day.
However, evening business slowed down, and the movie came in below estimates.
But fans who are perhaps worried the box office takings indicate a problem should not worry too much.
The drop off in the evening may have more to do with the time of year.
In America, six per cent of grade school children (ages five – 12) were out of school, the exact demographic for the film.
Historically, Mary Poppins Returns is under-performing in comparison to other same-day openings in previous years.
Last year’s Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, which had a pre-Christmas Wednesday opening came in with $5.7 m ($7.2 m).
However, Mary Poppins Returns did clock in at 96 per cent higher than the first day of The Greatest Showman in 2017.
The Greatest Showman also made the majority of its profits after Christmas passed.
If the Hugh Jackman vehicle is anything to go by, Mary Poppins Returns has plenty of time to do well at the box office.
The budget for Mary Poppins Returns was approximately £102.8 m ($130 m).
The Mary Poppins sequel is currently set to screen in 4,090 theatres.
Mary Poppins Returns is out in UK cinemas on December 21, 2018.