The movie opened to $18 million from 3,605 cinemas against a price tag of $200 million to $250 million.

The results weren’t much better overseas, where Argylle opened to an estimated $17.3 million from 78 markets, for global start of $35.3 million. But due to little competition, it won the weekend.

Exhibitors were happy for an event film with A-list stars as they struggle with a dramatic downturn in product because of production delays due to the strikes.

Argylle, directed from a script by Wonder Woman‘s Jason Fuchs, concerns a best-selling spy novelist and cat-loving recluse whose tranquil life is upended when plots of her books begin coming to life.

Vaughn’s reality-bending spy thriller doesn’t lack star power. The cast includes Bryce Dallas Howard, Henry Cavill, Sam Rockwell, Bryan Cranston, John Cena, Ariana DeBose, Dua Lipa, Catherine O’Hara, Sofia Boutella and Samuel L. Jackson. Alfie the cat is played by Chip, the real-life pet of supermodel Claudia Vaughn (née Schiffer).

Napoleon has fared somewhat better with $219.4 million to date; it earned 3 Oscar nominations.

The other nationwide offering at the domestic box office is a special release of the faith-based series The Chosen: Season 4, Episodes 1-3.

The producers of the hit series made it available first in theaters. Episodes four, five and six will play in cinemas later this month. Fathom Events is handling The Chosen theatrically in its widest release ever.

The series exceeded expectations to land at No. 2 with an estimated $6.1 million from 2,260 theaters for the three day weekend. It officially opened on Thursday, so its four day start was $7.5 million.

Amazon MGM Studios and Miramax’s The Beekeeper grossed $5.3 million from 3,277 locations for domestic tally of $49.4 million and an better $73.1 million overseas for a global tally of $122.5 million.

Warner Bros.’ musical Wonka crossed the $200 million mark domestically, while Paramount’s musical Mean Girls danced past $90 million.

Wonka Crosses $571.7 Globally

Wonka, placing No. 4 for the weekend despite being in its eighth outing, continues to sing overseas. That includes opening to $5.6 million in South Korea for a foreign gross of $270.6 million and $571.7 million globally, by far the biggest showing of the year-end holiday season.

Oscar best-picture nominees American Fiction (Amazon MGM Studios) and Poor Things (Searchlight) continued to expand.

American Fiction placed No. 9 with $2.3 million as it upped its theater count to 1,902 for a domestic tally of $15 million.

Poor Thingsfollowed with $2.1 million from 1,905 cinemas. It crossed $28.2 million domestically and $40 million overseas for global tally of $68.3 million. Domestically, Poor Things boasts the best showing for a 2023 platform release, and the second-best of the post-pandemic era behind last year’s Oscar sensation (and best picture winner) Everything Everywhere All at Once.