Tyler Perry’s sassy character Madea strutted into the sunset after making an impressive goodbye statement at the weekend box office.
In the final installment of the signature franchise, A Madea Family Funeral opened above expectations by taking in an estimated $27 million, according to Comscore.
Analysts had estimated the film would debut in the $18-20 million range, instead it delivered the character’s best opening in ten years, since Madea Goes to Jail arrived with $41 million in 2009.
Perry revealed in October that he would be putting the character to rest after A Madea Family Funeral and a final stage play.
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In this latest installment, a family reunion turns into a nightmare when Madea and company travel to smalltown Georgia, where they find themselves unexpectedly planning a funeral that might unveil unsavory family secrets. Perry wrote, directed and stars in the Lionsgate release, which co-stars Cassi Davis and Patrice Lovely.
A Madea Family Funeral opened in second place this weekend after How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World took the top spot with $30 million.
The Madea film screened in 2,442 theaters for a sizable per location average of $11,077. Perry took to Twitter Sunday to thank fans, and to say if given an “even playing field,” his film probably would have done even better.
“You all did 27 million with only 2,442 screens while Dragon did 30 million on almost double the screens, 4,286,” Perry tweeted. “I wonder what would happen if we ever had a level and even playing field. But even with that I’m still grateful!!!”
Elsewhere at the box office, Alita: Battle Angel came in a distant third after Madea, with $7.0 million, and Lego Movie 2: The Second Part took fourth with $6.6 million.
After winning three Oscars last weekend — best picture, best supporting actor, and best original screenplay — Green Book added 1,388 theaters and brought in $4.7 million for a fifth place finish.
The racial road trip drama starring Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen arrived in theaters in November 2018. Since then, it’s made $75.9 million.
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