Box office: ‘The Invisible Man’ surfaces as the year’s first horror hit with $29 million

Universal and Blumhouse’s “The Invisible Man” opened in movie theaters in first place with $29 million, exceeding analyst predictions of $20 million, according to estimates from measurement firm Comscore. Globally the film debuted to $49.2 million.

The psychological thriller stars Elisabeth Moss as the former girlfriend of the eponymous character in a modern re-imagining of the classic movie monster. In its first weekend, the film is already the highest grossing horror release of the year in a landscape littered with disappointments and outright bombs including “The Grudge,” “The Turning” and “Brahms: The Boy II.”

Directed by Leigh Whannell (“Upgrade”), the $7-million movie was well received with a B+ CinemaScore and a 90% “fresh” rating on review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes.

In second place, Paramount’s “Sonic the Hedgehog” added $16 million in its third weekend for a cumulative $128.3 million. It currently stands at $265.5 million in worldwide receipts.

At No. 3, 20th Century Studios’ “The Call of the Wild” added $13.2 million in its second weekend (a 47% drop) for a cumulative $45.9 million. Globally, the film has earned $79.3 million.

In fourth place, Sony Pictures TV and Funimation opened the anime movie “My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising” on Wednesday earning $6.3 million for the weekend and a cumulative $9.6 million for five days. It was positively received with a 91% “fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Rounding out the top five, Sony’s “Bad Boys for Life” added $4.3 million in its seventh weekend for a cumulative $197.4 million. It currently stands at $406 million globally.

At No. 6, Warner Bros.’ “Birds of Prey” added $4.1 million in its fourth weekend for a cumulative $78.8 million.

In seventh place, TruTV’s “Impractical Jokers: The Movie” expanded into wide release in its second weekend, adding $3.5 million for a cumulative $6.7 million.

At No. 8, Universal’s “1917” added $2.7 million in its 10th weekend for a cumulative $155.9 million.

In ninth place, STX Entertainment’s “Brahms: The Boy II” added $2.6 million in its second weekend (a 55% drop) for a cumulative $9.8 million.

Rounding out the top 10, Sony and Blumhouse’s “Fantasy Island” added $2.3 million in its third weekend for a cumulative $24.1 million.

In limited release, Focus Features’ “Emma” added 92 theaters (up from five last weekend) and $1.2 million in its second weekend for a cumulative $1.5 million. Globally the film has earned $12.9 million and expands into wide release next weekend.

Searchlight’s Peter Pan-inspired “Wendy” opened on four screens to $30,000 for a per-screen average of $7,500. It was poorly received with a 40% “rotten” score on Rotten Tomatoes.

101 Studios’ ”Burden” opened on five screens to $20,142 for a per-screen average of $4,028. It was poorly received with a 50% “rotten” score on Rotten Tomatoes.

This week, Focus Features expands “Emma” into wide release, Disney and Pixar reveal the Tom Holland and Chris Pratt animation “Onward” and Warner Bros. releases the Ben Affleck sports drama “The Way Back.”