The new “Tom & Jerry” is the cat’s meow at the box office.
The revival of the beloved cat-and-mouse cartoon debuted with $13.7 million in ticket sales over the weekend — the best domestic opening of the year.
The opening was $3 million shy of the top-grossing release during the COVID-19 pandemic, “Wonder Woman 1984” in December.
“Tom & Jerry,” which stars Chloe Grace Moretz, was also released on HBO Max, where it will be streaming for a month.
“With half of theaters still closed, the pandemic still a threat, and ‘Tom & Jerry’ available at home, this is a very good opening,” David A. Gross, who runs the movie consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research told the Associated Press. “Under normal circumstances, this weekend would comfortably be above $35 million — a positive sign for the business and for theatrical’s pull over home entertainment.”
Just 42 percent, or 2,475 theaters, are open right now.
“Tom & Jerry” brought in another $25 million internationally, according to the studio.
On Friday, movie theaters in New York will reopen for the first time since March at 25 percent capacity.