The numbers are in and there's no doubt about it, China simply could not wait to return to the island of Isla Nublar to save the dinosaurs with the release of JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM. During its Friday opening, Universal and Amblin’s latest prehistoric money-printer roared with $34.4 million in receipts. While the Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard starrer isn't expected to reach AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR numbers – which launched with $199.3 million and has earned $369.7 million to date – the dinosaur blockbuster is on-track to stomp summertime competitors like so many screaming guests after a thunder lizard escapes its woefully-constructed paddock.
As it happens, JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM made its overseas debut on June 6th as a way to avoid the upcoming Soccer World Cup. So far, the film directed by J. A. Bayona has amassed $202.3 million from 49 different markets, not including China's recent take.
Three years after the destruction of the Jurassic World theme park, Owen Grady (Pratt) and Claire Dearing (Howard) return to the island of Isla Nublar to save the remaining dinosaurs from a volcano that's about to erupt. They soon encounter terrifying new breeds of gigantic dinosaurs, while uncovering a conspiracy that threatens the entire planet.
Written by Derek Connolly and Colin Trevorrow, JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM also features Raff Spall, Justice Smith, Daniella Pineda, James Cromwell, Toby Jones, Ted Levine, BD Wong and Jeff Goldblum.
Do you think Fallen Kingdom will make more money at the box office than the original JURASSIC WORLD? Before you answer, remember that World earned a worldwide total of $1.6 billion for tickets sold. Yeah, that's a lot of money. However, I would never underestimate people's desire to see prehistoric predators up on the big screen. After all, it may be the closest we ever get to seeing them in action. C'mon, science, let's bust out the mosquitoes encased in amber, amiright?
JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM will arrive stateside on June 22nd.