by Puss in Boots: The Last Wish finally ended Avatar: The Way of Water’s seven-week run at the top of the UK box office.
The animated sequel grossed £5 million during its opening weekend well ahead of Avatar’s £1.3 million total. The opening weekend for Puss in Boots was more than double that of the first film, which was released in 2011 and was nominated for an Oscar.
Read more: Puss in Boots director responds to Eddie Murphy’s dig
M Night Shyamalan’s Knock at the Cabin opened at number three, grossing just under £1 million, while the Bollywood hit Pathaan continued to do brisk business at number four on its way to becoming India’s most successful film. all time in the UK.
Starring Shah Rukh Khan, the action film became the first Indian film to gross over £3 million at the UK box office.
Rounding out the top 5 was Gerard Butler’s Plane in its second week of release. The well-received action actor has grossed over £2 million in the UK.
Starring Antonio Banderas as the titular cat, The Last Wish sees Puss in Boots lose eight of his nine lives and attempt to restore them by finding a wishing star.
Salma Hayek Pinault also voices Kitty Softpaws, while Florence Pugh appears as Goldilocks with Olivia Colman and Ray Winstone voicing Mama and Papa Bear.
It’s the first film in the Shrek universe since the first Puss in Boots movie over a decade ago.
Eddie Murphy recently said that he would be open to a new Shrek movie or a spin-off based on his Donkey character.
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Murphy said: “I would absolutely be open if they ever came up with another Shrek, I would do it in two seconds. I love donkey.”
Read more: The best and worst film spin-offs
He also seemed to give Puss in Boots a chance: “You know, they made Puss in Boots movies. I was like, ‘They should have made a Donkey movie. The donkey is more fun than Puss in Boots. I mean, I love Puss in Boots, but he’s not as funny as the Donkey.
In response to Murphy, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish director Joel Crawford told Yahoo: “Oh, classic donkey.”
“It’s a lot of fun because it’s very characteristic of Donkey and Puss In Boots.
“The two are always chasing each other over who gets Shrek’s appreciation.”
Watch: Joel Crawford Talks to Yahoo About Eddie Murphy’s Donkey Dig
