The Battle for the Box Office: Why Lee Cronin’s ‘The Mummy’ Struggled Against Giant Rivals

The mid-April weekend of 2026 has proven that at the box office, brand power and scientific wonder are currently unstoppable. While the industry anticipated a decent showing for the latest horror reboot, the numbers paint a starkly different picture. Warner Bros.’ latest attempt to resurrect a classic monster in Lee Cronin’s The Mummy found itself buried in third place, failing to keep pace with the continued momentum of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and the enduring legs of Project Hail Mary.

This weekend’s results highlight a shifting landscape in theatrical releases. Horror, which dominated the 2025 landscape, is seeing a slight cooling period, while massive family-friendly intellectual property and high-concept science fiction are drawing the largest crowds.

The Mario Phenomenon: A Galaxy of Success

Universal’s The Super Mario Galaxy Movie continues to reign supreme. In its third weekend, the animated sequel added another $35 million to its domestic haul. It has effectively secured the top spot for three consecutive weeks, a feat that is becoming increasingly rare in a crowded marketplace.

The global footprint for Mario is even more staggering. With a worldwide total reaching $747.5 million, it is well on its way to joining the billion-dollar club. The success of the “Galaxy” installment proves that the partnership between Nintendo and Illumination has moved beyond a one-hit wonder and established itself as the premier family franchise of the decade. The film’s ability to draw in both nostalgic adults and a new generation of children has made it a bulletproof asset for theater owners.

The Science of Longevity: Project Hail Mary

Perhaps the most surprising story of the year is Amazon MGM’s Project Hail Mary. In its fifth weekend, the sci-fi epic starring Ryan Gosling dropped a mere 15%, earning $20.5 million. This level of retention is almost unheard of for a major blockbuster outside of the holiday season.

The film, based on the novel by Andy Weir and directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, has benefited immensely from high-quality word-of-mouth and a resurgence on premium large-format screens like IMAX. After briefly losing those screens to Mario, Project Hail Mary reclaimed them, showing that audiences are willing to pay a premium for a cinematic experience that demands a large canvas. To date, the film has earned $285.1 million domestically and $573.1 million globally, making it the highest-earning original (non-sequel/non-IP) film of the year.

The Mummy’s Cold Reception

Entering the fray this weekend was Lee Cronin’s The Mummy. Despite a respectable opening across 3,404 locations, the film could only manage $13.5 million for its debut. While this isn’t a catastrophic failure given its relatively modest $22 million production budget, it fell significantly short of studio expectations.

The film marks a departure from previous iterations of the franchise. Directed by Lee Cronin, the visionary behind the visceral Evil Dead Rise, and produced by horror titans Jason Blum (Blumhouse) and James Wan (Atomic Monster), the movie leaned heavily into R-rated horror. The plot follows a family whose missing daughter returns mummified and “living,” leading to what critics have described as a “gross-out bloodfest.”

However, the dark tone didn’t seem to click with the general public. The film received a lackluster C+ CinemaScore and sits at a 45% on Rotten Tomatoes. While it has already amassed a worldwide total of $34 million thanks to international markets, it is unlikely to have the long-term staying power seen by its competitors. Industry experts suggest that the “monster fatigue” might be setting in, especially when up against high-energy spectacles like Mario.

Independent Success and Other Newcomers

The weekend wasn’t just about the top three. Several other films fought for a piece of the pie:

• Normal: The Bob Odenkirk-led action flick, directed by Ben Wheatley, debuted with $2.7 million. Despite a stronger critical reception (77% on Rotten Tomatoes), it shared the same C+ CinemaScore as The Mummy, suggesting a disconnect with audience expectations.
• Busboys: An independent comedy featuring David Spade and podcaster Theo Von managed to land in eighth place, pulling in $1.6 million from just 800 theaters.
• Art House Releases: High-profile limited releases like the Lorne Michaels documentary Lorne and David Lowery’s Mother Mary (starring Anne Hathaway) saw decent per-screen averages but didn’t crack the top 10.

Looking Ahead: The King of Pop is Coming

The overall box office is currently up 16% compared to the same time last year, largely thanks to the sustained success of Project Hail Mary. However, the status quo is about to be challenged.

Next weekend sees the arrival of Michael, the highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic from Lionsgate. Early tracking suggests a massive opening weekend, with estimates ranging from $60 million to as high as $90 million in North America. If it hits the high end of those projections, it will shatter the record for a musical biopic, currently held by Straight Outta Compton.

Weekend Box Office Top 10 (Estimated)

1. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie – $35 million
2. Project Hail Mary – $20.5 million
3. Lee Cronin’s The Mummy – $13.5 million
4. The Drama – $4.8 million
5. You, Me & Tuscany – $3.8 million
6. Hoppers – $2.9 million
7. Normal – $2.7 million
8. Busboys – $1.6 million
9. Bhooth Bangla – $977,582
10. A Great Awakening – $823,667

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why did ‘The Mummy’ perform poorly compared to ‘Super Mario’?

The Mummy targeted a niche R-rated horror audience with a grim, visceral tone, whereas The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is a four-quadrant family film with massive global IP recognition. Additionally, The Mummy received mixed reviews and a low CinemaScore, which hampered its opening weekend potential.

How much did ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ make so far?

As of this weekend, the film has earned $747.5 million worldwide.

Is ‘Project Hail Mary’ based on a book?

Yes, it is based on the bestselling novel by Andy Weir, the author of The Martian. The film’s success is attributed to its faithful adaptation and strong performances.

Who directed the new Mummy movie?

Lee Cronin directed the film. He is well-known in the horror community for his work on Evil Dead Rise.

What is the next big movie release?

The Michael Jackson biopic Michael is set to release next weekend and is projected to be one of the biggest openings of the year.