Mario number one, indeed. Audiences were almost just as enthusiastic about 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' in its second weekend as they were in its first, with the animated title dropping only 7 per cent to earn $9.8 million.
At $11.5 million (or $12.8 million with previews) the opening weekend result for Matt Reeves' 'The Batman' is the second highest of the pandemic era behind 'Spider-Man: No Way Home'.
The law of diminishing returns which often determines the box-office trajectory of sequels doesn't apply to the Fast & Furious franchise
Brad Pitt was box-office gold in Inglourious Basterds but audiences don't seem to find his latest stab at playing a US soldier in the heat of battle in WW2 quite as compelling.
Bruce Beresford's dance epic Mao's Last Dancer leads the local box office after taking more than $6.3 million
Critically acclaimed Australian film Beneath Hill 60 has grossed almost $3.2 million and passed the box office of Kokoda.
While we were away: ‘The Dry’ performed for Roadshow; three Aussie projects were selected for Sundance; NITV updated its leadership team; ‘Sissy’ kicked off in Canberra and vale Susie Maizels, esteemed casting director.
By their "very different but equally excellent" powers combined, 'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer have given Australian cinemas their best weekend since the pandemic began - and for at least one exhibitor, its best weekend ever.