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Detective Pikachu captures biggest weekend opening ever in US for a video game film adaptation

$58 million made from American Pokemon Trainers

Detective Pikachu captures biggest weekend opening ever in US for a video game film adaptation

Warner Bros’ Detective Pikachu achieved the biggest opening weekend ever for a video game movie adaptation in the US.

The film, which sees Ryan Reynolds voice a live-action Pikachu, brought in an estimated $58 million, according to Box Office Mojo. The movie finished second for its opening weekend, with Avengers: Endgame taking the top spot with $63 million.

Detective Pikachu’s numbers were still enough though to surpass 2001’s Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, which generated $47.7 million.

$161 million worldwide

Outside of the US, the film grossed approximately $103 million, taking its worldwide earnings up to $161 million.

The top grossing video game movie of all time is 2016’s Warcraft at $433.7 million, which made the majority of its sales from China.

Detective Pikachu made $41 million from the Chinese audiences during its opening, however unless a large number of viewers continue to watch the film over the next couple of weekends, it’s unlikely to supplant Warcraft.


Deputy Editor

Matthew Forde is the deputy editor at PocketGamer.biz and also a member of the Pocket Gamer Podcast. You can find him on Twitter @MattForde64 talking about stats, data and everything pop culture related - particularly superheroes.