Universal’s “Jurassic World” is heading for a “dinomite” weekend, as the sequel is on pace for a $162 million opening weekend following a Friday haul that is expected to top $70 million.
That figure is based on the latest box office estimates that came in around 4 p.m., according to insiders. The number has climbed higher throughout the day, with most box office analysts predicting a relatively conservative $125 million weekend before the film opened.
“Jurassic World” now boasts the biggest June opening ever, beating the $116 million that “Man of Steel” soared to in 2013. The sequel to Steven Spielberg‘s 1993 dinosaur classic is in 4,273 theaters as of Friday.
Colin Trevorrow directed the movie and shares screenplay credit with Derek Connolly, as well as Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, who are also credited with the story.
Chris Pratt stars alongside Bryce Dallas Howard, Vincent D’Onofrio, Nick Robinson, Ty Simpkins, Jake Johnson, Irrfan Khan, BD Wong, Omar Sy, Judy Greer and Lauren Lapkus.
“Jurassic World” stomped its way to $18.5 million on Thursday night, as the raging reptiles took their first chomp of the box office in early shows that began at 7 p.m. in 3,229 theaters.
The sequel’s debut is Universal’s highest-grossing early show rollout ever, ahead of the $15.8 million that “Furious 7” raced to in April. IMAX theaters brought in $2.8 million, the second-largest Thursday giant-screen haul ever, behind only the $2.9 million posted by “Avengers: Age of Ultron” a month ago.