"Fantastic Four: First Steps" suffers a worse fall than "Thunderbolts" in its second weekend

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Marvel's first family stumbled in theaters in its second weekend, but still held on to the top spot at the box office.

“Fantastic Four: First Steps” grossed $40 million in 4,125 theaters in North America, a 66% drop from a healthy $117.6 million debut. The film was joined by the comedies “The Bad Guys 2” and “The Naked Gun” in the top three spots.

The superhero film fell significantly more than Marvel's previous film, "Thunderbolts," which suffered a 55% drop in its second weekend.

"First Steps" is the latest big summer blockbuster. It added nearly $40 million internationally in its second weekend, bringing the film's global total to $369 million. The film's box office decline was surprising given its positive reviews, said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at data firm Comscore.

While the film's opening weekend may have provided a strong boost to box office results toward the $4 billion goal for the summer, August has gotten off to a slow start, he noted.

"It's a difficult challenge, but we can achieve it. It really means that all the films will have to stand on their own two feet," Dergarabedian said. "It's going to be about good reviews, having that staying power, that longevity in the market."

The debut comedy "The Bad Guys 2" took second place at the box office this weekend, with $22 million from 3,852 theaters in North America. That was in line with projections and also in line with the first film in the series, which grossed $23 million in 2022. Paramount's comedy "The Naked Gun," also in its opening weekend, took third place at the box office, earning $17 million from 3,344 theaters.

Jim Orr, president of U.S. distribution for Universal Pictures, said the strong debut of "The Bad Guys 2," coupled with strong critical reactions from audiences, "should point to a very long and very successful run not only through the rest of the summer, but really, I think, into the fall."

James Gunn's "Superman," which opened four weeks ago and has already surpassed $550 million worldwide, grossed $13.8 million domestically this weekend, placing fourth. "Jurassic World Rebirth" followed with $8.7 million.

The horror film "Together" had a strong opening weekend, placing sixth and grossing $6.8 million domestically, proof that August is a month for edgier, more unconventional films, Dergarabedian said.

"That's what this month is all about. It's not just about the box office," Dergarabedian said. "It's also about providing truly interesting and rewarding moviegoing experiences for audiences."

Dergarabedian said he hopes the highly anticipated films hitting theaters in the coming weeks, including "Freakier Friday" and Zach Cregger's horror film "Weapons," will give August a much-needed boost.

Box office receipts are currently up 9.5% from last year.

The 10 best films by domestic box office

With final domestic figures due out Monday, this list takes into account estimated Friday-Sunday ticket sales at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore:

• 1. “Fantastic Four: First Steps,” $40 million.
• 2. "Bad Boys 2," $22.2 million.
• 3. "The Naked Gun," $17 million.
• 4. "Superman," $13.8 million.
• 5. "Jurassic World Rebirth," $8.7 million.
• 6. "Together," $6.8 million.
• 7. "F1: The Movie," $4.1 million.
• 8. “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” $2.7 million.
• 9. "Smurfs," $1.8 million.
• 10. "How to Train Your Dragon," $1.4 million.