Zendaya's new movie Challengers has topped the box office after an impressive debut.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the tennis romance movie met expectations with its $15 million opening from 3,477 cinemas. This makes it the second-best start for an original R-rated drama since the pandemic, with Don't Worry Darling holding the top spot.
Related: Zendaya reveals what Serena Williams said after watching Challengers movie
The Amazon MGM Studios movie was released nationwide, rather than on Amazon's streaming site Prime Video, and is projected to easily become director Luca Guadagnino's highest-grossing film domestically, surpassing Call Me By Your Name, which grossed roughly $18 million.
Ahead of its release in cinemas, critics responded very well to Challengers, and its first 113 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes scored it a glowing 96% rating.
Digital Spy's review called it "a sweaty, wicked three-way thriller exploring the intersection between power, sex, desire and starving ambition."
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At the box office, the movie pulled in a large female audience, amounting to 58% of Friday's (April 26) audience. It also did well with a younger crowd, as 76% of ticket buyers were between ages 18 and 34.
Challengers managed to cater to an ethnically diverse audience with White (43%) Latino (27%), Black (17%), Asian (9%) and Native American/other (4%) viewers contributing to Friday's ticket sales.
Meanwhile, Dune: Part Two (which stars Zendaya as Chani), celebrated a major milestone by hitting $700 million at the worldwide box office. Godzilla x Kong had similar cause for celebration, earning $500 million globally. They are the two biggest films of the year to date at the worldwide box office.
Challengers is out now in cinemas.
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Divya is a freelance writer with experience in entertainment and lifestyle news. Described as a "telly addict" since childhood, Divya was able to translate her interests into a BJTC-accredited, Honours degree in Journalism and Media. After working in communications and marketing, Divya joined Digital Spy as a Freelance News Reporter. She has also written for various publications including Metro, Asian World News and TwitCelebGossip; as well as interviews, features and reviews on her own blog. Divya prides herself on her TV, film and showbiz knowledge, always offering (not so) fun facts to her long-suffering friends and family. From soaps to superheroes, Divya is the go-to person for tailored recommendations and up to date information.
