‘Dog Man' Bests ‘Heart Eyes,' ‘Love Hurts' at Box Office
The animated Universal Pictures release, adapted from Dav Pilkey's popular graphic novel series, collected $13.7 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday. Both new releases – the Ke Huy Quan action movie 'Love Hurts' and the Valentine's Day-themed slasher 'Heart Eyes' – were left nipping at the heels of 'Dog Man,' The Associated Press reported
Hollywood often largely punts Super Bowl weekend to the small screen. Last year, Apple's much-derided 'Argylle' debuted on the same weekend. Instead, the movie industry spends more energy pitching its blockbusters in trailers for the huge football audience on TV.
It wasn't a banner weekend for 'Dog Man.' It fell steeply, dropping 62% in it second weekend. But with a production budget of $40 million, 'Dog Man' has already tallied $54.1 million domestically in two weeks.
Coming in second was Spyglass Media Group's 'Heart Eyes,' released by Sony. The horror-rom-com mashup earned $8.5 million from 3,102 locations.
Reviews have been good for the film, directed by Josh Ruben and starring Oliva Holt and Mason Gooding, though audiences were less impressed. Moviegoers gave it a 'B-' CinemaScore. Spyglass made 'Heart Eyes' for $18 million.
'Love Hurts,' the action comedy from 87North Productions ('John Wick,' 'The Fall Guy'), debuted with a paltry $5.8 million in 3,055 theaters. In his first big movie role since his Oscar-winning comeback in 'Everything All at Once,' Ke Huy Quan stars as a mild-mannered realtor with a hitman past. Ariana DeBose co-stars. It, too, was modestly budgeted at $18 million. Audiences, however, mostly rejected the movie, giving 'Love Hurts' a 'C+' CinemaScore.
Next weekend should bring Hollywood its biggest box-office weekend of the year with the release of Marvel's 'Captain America: Brave New World' and Sony's 'Paddington in Peru.'
Final domestic figures will be released Monday.
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