America has another hero on its hands. “Captain America: The First Avenger” had a fantastic opening day grossing $25.7 million on Friday. That’s just slightly more than the opening day of fellow Marvel Studios’ Avenger “Thor” stormed theaters with in May ($25.4 million) and Fox’s “X-Men: First Class” which found $21.3 million (without the benefit of higher 3D ticket prices). Parmount Pictures has certainly sent their last Marvel Studios release out with a bang. “Captain America” should triumph with at least $65 million for the three-day weekend.
More impressively, “The First Avenger” knocked everyone’s favorite wizard to the second slot. Don’t feel bad for “Harry Potter,” tough. “Deathly Hallows, Pt. 2” found another $14.6 million for an astonishing $255.3 million in just 9 days. The final chapter in the “Harry Potter” franchise has already grossed over $700 million across the globe.
Debuting in third with a so-so $6.8 million was “Friends with Benefits.” The Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis comedy received more positive reviews that many expected, but isn’t performing like fellow R-rated summer comedies “Bad Teacher,””Bridesmaids” or “Horrible Bosses.” At best “Benefits” could do $19-21 million for the weekend.
Look for complete weekend estimates tomorrow on HitFIx.