'A Quiet Place' sounds off with huge $50 million debut

A Quiet Placewas looking to make noise at the weekend box office, and it delivered.

Paramount Pictures` thriller directed by John Krasinski soared past estimates to a massive $50.3 million opening in 3,508 theaters. That`s enough to land it the second-highest domestic opening of the year to date behind Black Panther,which opened in February with $202 million. Since its debut at South by Southwest, "A Quiet Place" has garnered rave reviews. It currently holds an impressive 97 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, with a B+ CinemaScore.

"This much bigger than expected debut comes in an era of ongoing popularity for the horror genre that in North America alone last year generated over $1 billion in box office," Paul Dergarabedian, a media analyst at comScore, said.

At No. 2, Steven Spielberg`s Ready Player Onemade $25 million in 4,234 locations in its second weekend, bringing its total domestic grosses up to $97 million. The Warner Bros.` film has been a strong contender overseas, where it has made $169 million.

Another weekend release, Blockers,secured third place at the box office. Universal`s raunchy R-rated comedy -- directed by Kay Cannon and starring John Cena, Leslie Mann, and Ike Barinholtz -- released in line with projections for an impressive $21.4 million debut in 3,379 theaters. Blockershas been another buzzy title from SXSW, earning an 83 percent on Rotten Tomatoes along with a B CinemaScore.

Meanwhile, the eighth frame of Black Pantherlanded at No. 4 with $8.8 million in 2,747 locations. Domestically, the Marvel film earned $665.4 million, making it the third-biggest release of all time behind Star Wars: The Force Awakens" and "Avatar." Globally, Black Pantherhas grossed $1.29 billion.

Rounding out the top five is Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions` I Can Only Imagine,with $8.4 million in 2,894 theaters. The faith-based film has been an impressive force at the box office, making $69 million in four weeks.

Two other newcomers, ChappaquiddickandThe Miracle Seasonpremiered slightly above estimates. Entertainment Studios` Chappaquiddickopened with $5.9 million at 1,560 locations, while LD Entertainment`s The Miracle Seasonsaw $4 million at 1,707 locations.

While the 2018 box office is down 2.1 percent compared to 2017, this weekend last year is up 35.3 percent.