‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Exceeds Expectations With Rich Box Office Debut

Crazy Rich Asians (Credit: Warner Bros.)

Moviegoers made a date with Crazy Rich Asians.

The Warner Bros. romantic comedy took the top spot at the weekend box office with an estimated $25.2 million domestic debut, according to Box Office Mojo. Since opening Wednesday, the film has earned a total of $34 million, exceeding expectations.

Based on Kevin Kwan’s international bestseller by the same name, the film tells the story of a New York college professor who travels to Singapore with her longtime boyfriend for his best friend’s wedding. Once they get there, she finds out her significant other is crazy rich.

The rom-com is the first Asian-led studio film to arrive in North American theaters since The Joy Luck Club in 1993. Jon M. Chu directed the film.

The cast for the film includes Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh, and Ken Jeong.

Read More: ‘What Men Want’ Trailer: Taraji P. Henson Hears Men’s Inner Thoughts

Final exit tracking showed 38 percent of the audience was Asian, according to Deadline. Caucasians made up 41 percent of ticket buyers. Latinos and African Americans showed less interest. The film performed best on the coasts –  in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Seattle and San Diego.

Elsewhere, Warner Bros. release The Meg slipped to second place with $21.1 million.

Mark Wahlberg’s Mile 22 didn’t exactly go the distance. The action thriller about an elite intelligence officer tasked with a sensitive mission opened in third place, after pulling in $13.6 million from 3,520 theaters.

Family film Alpha opened in fourth place with $10.5 million, and tied with Mission: Impossible – Fallout, which also earned $10.5 million

About Anita Bennett

Anita Bennett is the editor and founder of Urban Hollywood 411. She can be reached on Twitter @tvanita.