MGM's boxing drama Creed III&nbsp;scored an opening-round knockout this weekend, taking in an estimated $58.7 million to top North America's box office in one of the biggest debuts ever for a sports film.

That made first-time director Michael B. Jordan -- who again plays rock-hard boxer Apollo Creed -- the "undefeated box office champion," said industry analyst Exhibitor Relations.

"This opening is sensational," said analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research. "Weekends like this are good news for the industry."&nbsp;

In this ninth film in the Rocky&nbsp;franchise -- the first without Sylvester Stallone in the Rocky Balboa role he created -- Creed comes out of retirement for a dramatic showdown against an old friend played by Jonathan Majors.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-creed-3-movie-review-emotional-and-propulsive-michael-b-jordan-nails-his-directorial-debut-568129">Creed 3 movie review: Emotional and propulsive, Michael B Jordan nails his directorial debut</a>

That makes this a pretty good weekend for Majors, the villain in Marvel and Disney's Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,&nbsp;which placed second for the Friday-through-Sunday period at $12.5 million. Paul Rudd stars as the title ant; Evangeline Lilly is the Wasp.

In third place was Universal's Cocaine Bear at $11 million. The horror comedy is based loosely on the true story of a black bear that wreaks havoc in the Tennessee woods after consuming a cache of lost cocaine. Keri Russell plays one of the locals caught up in the crazy.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -- To the Swordsmith Village,&nbsp;an anime sequel from Crunchyroll, placed fourth at $10.1 million. The previous Demon Slayer&nbsp;film in 2021 had a record debut for a non-English language feature, taking in $19.5 million, Variety reported.&nbsp;

And in fifth was Lionsgate's Christian drama "Jesus Revolution," a story of a 1960s religious&nbsp;movement in California. It took in $8.7 million.&nbsp;

Rounding out the top 10 were:

Avatar: The Way of Water ($3.6 million)

Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre ($3.2 million)

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish ($2.7 million)

Magic Mike's Last Dance&nbsp;($1.2 million)

80 for Brady&nbsp;($845,000)

MGM's boxing drama Creed III scored an opening-round knockout this weekend, taking in an estimated $58.7 million to top North America's box office in one of the biggest debuts ever for a sports film.

MGM's boxing drama Creed III scored an opening-round knockout this weekend, taking in an estimated $58.7 million to top North America's box office in one of the biggest debuts ever for a sports film. That made first-time director Michael B. Jordan -- who again plays rock-hard boxer Apollo Creed -- the "undefeated box office champion," said industry analyst Exhibitor Relations. "This opening is sensational," said analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research. "Weekends like this are good news for the industry." In this ninth film in the Rocky franchise -- the first without Sylvester Stallone in the Rocky Balboa role he created -- Creed comes out of retirement for a dramatic showdown against an old friend played by Jonathan Majors. Creed 3 movie review: Emotional and propulsive, Michael B Jordan nails his directorial debut That makes this a pretty good weekend for Majors, the villain in Marvel and Disney's Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which placed second for the Friday-through-Sunday period at $12.5 million. Paul Rudd stars as the title ant; Evangeline Lilly is the Wasp. In third place was Universal's Cocaine Bear at $11 million. The horror comedy is based loosely on the true story of a black bear that wreaks havoc in the Tennessee woods after consuming a cache of lost cocaine. Keri Russell plays one of the locals caught up in the crazy. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -- To the Swordsmith Village, an anime sequel from Crunchyroll, placed fourth at $10.1 million. The previous Demon Slayer film in 2021 had a record debut for a non-English language feature, taking in $19.5 million, Variety reported. And in fifth was Lionsgate's Christian drama "Jesus Revolution," a story of a 1960s religious movement in California. It took in $8.7 million. Rounding out the top 10 were: Avatar: The Way of Water ($3.6 million) Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre ($3.2 million) Puss in Boots: The Last Wish ($2.7 million) Magic Mike's Last Dance ($1.2 million) 80 for Brady ($845,000)

Creed III punches its way to top of North America box office

The third installment of 'Creed' is out in theatres this week. With this release, the star of the film, Michael B Jordan, also makes his debut as a director. According to various early reviews, the film is a complete knockout. During an exclusive conversation with WION, Jordan, along with actors Tessa Thompson and Jonathan Majors, tell us why we must not miss this sports drama. Listen in.

'Creed III': What makes Michael B Jordan's directorial a complete knockout. Cast explains | WION Exclusive

MGM revealed the trailer for its upcoming Creed III film. The boxing franchise teased its first look at the Super Bowl. It will release in the theatres on March 3 with an Imax Live Premiere Event on February 27.&nbsp;

Michael B Jordan who stars in the film has also directed and produced the movie. He will be joined by the cast of Creed III to celebrate his directorial debut at the TCL Chinese Theatre. According to several reports, the film will get itself a red carpet premiere and will stream all across North America followed by an advance screening.&nbsp;

The new film will follow the life of Adonis Creed (played by Jordan) as he has been thriving in both his career and family life. When a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy, Damian (Jonathan Majors), resurfaces after serving a long sentence in prison, he is eager to prove that he deserves his shot in the ring. The face off between former friends is more than just a fight. To settle the score, Adonis must put his future on the line to battle Damian – a fighter who has nothing to lose.

Watch the trailer here:

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="446" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1Lw1Nx9Vp2o" title="Creed 3 - Official Big Game Teaser Trailer (2023) Michael B. Jordan, Jonathan Majors, Tessa Thompson" width="793"></iframe>

The Creed films are a spin-off of the Rocky franchise. The first two did good business at the box office.&nbsp;

Creed III will not have Sylvester Stallone joining the cast but other members including Phylicia Rashad, Tessa Thompson and Florian Munteanu will rejoin Jordan onscreen. The film has its script by Keenan Coogler &amp; Zach Baylin.

MGM revealed the trailer for its upcoming Creed III film. The boxing franchise teased its first look at the Super Bowl. It will release in the theatres on March 3 with an Imax Live Premiere Event on February 27.

MGM revealed the trailer for its upcoming Creed III film. The boxing franchise teased its first look at the Super Bowl. It will release in the theatres on March 3 with an Imax Live Premiere Event on February 27. Michael B Jordan who stars in the film has also directed and produced the movie. He will be joined by the cast of Creed III to celebrate his directorial debut at the TCL Chinese Theatre. According to several reports, the film will get itself a red carpet premiere and will stream all across North America followed by an advance screening. The new film will follow the life of Adonis Creed (played by Jordan) as he has been thriving in both his career and family life. When a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy, Damian (Jonathan Majors), resurfaces after serving a long sentence in prison, he is eager to prove that he deserves his shot in the ring. The face off between former friends is more than just a fight. To settle the score, Adonis must put his future on the line to battle Damian – a fighter who has nothing to lose. Watch the trailer here: The Creed films are a spin-off of the Rocky franchise. The first two did good business at the box office. Creed III will not have Sylvester Stallone joining the cast but other members including Phylicia Rashad, Tessa Thompson and Florian Munteanu will rejoin Jordan onscreen. The film has its script by Keenan Coogler & Zach Baylin.

Creed III film trailer out, film to mark Michael B Jordan's directorial debut

Rumours were true! Sylvester Stallone is not a part of ‘Creed III’.&nbsp;

Taking to his Instagram, the Hollywood star confirmed the same without offering any answers as to why he won’t be seen in the MGM boxing project.&nbsp;

In earlier circumstances, Sylvester Stallone had been seen reprising his role of Rocky Balboa, as a mentor to Michael B. Jordan's character, Adonis ‘Donnie’ Creed.&nbsp;

Sylverster Stallone's performance in 2015's Creed had even earned him an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor. Then came ‘Creed II’ which was released in November 2018.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the upcoming venture, ‘Creed III’ is helmed by Jordan. It will be his directorial debut and the feature will hit theatres on November 23, 2022.

Rumours were true! Sylvester Stallone is not a part of ‘Creed III’. Taking to his Instagram, the Hollywood star confirmed the same without offering any answers as to why he won’t be seen in the MGM boxing project.

Rumours were true! Sylvester Stallone is not a part of ‘Creed III’. Taking to his Instagram, the Hollywood star confirmed the same without offering any answers as to why he won’t be seen in the MGM boxing project. In earlier circumstances, Sylvester Stallone had been seen reprising his role of Rocky Balboa, as a mentor to Michael B. Jordan's character, Adonis ‘Donnie’ Creed. Sylverster Stallone's performance in 2015's Creed had even earned him an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor. Then came ‘Creed II’ which was released in November 2018. Meanwhile, the upcoming venture, ‘Creed III’ is helmed by Jordan. It will be his directorial debut and the feature will hit theatres on November 23, 2022.

Sylvester Stallone will not be seen in 'Creed III', confirms actor

creed-iii

Creed Iii, News on Creed Iii, stories on Creed Iii, articles on Creed Iii, Creed Iii stories at Wion, Creed Iii news, Creed Iii latest news

creed iii

Creed III punches its way to top of North America box office

'Creed III': What makes Michael B Jordan's directorial a complete knockout. Cast explains | WION Exclusive

Creed III film trailer out, film to mark Michael B Jordan's directorial debut

Sylvester Stallone will not be seen in 'Creed III', confirms actor