Downton Abbey Production Photo | Credit: Jaap Buitendijk / Focus Features
A strong Friday performance positions “Downton Abbey” to win the US weekend box office — and set a record for a Focus Features release.
The film adaption earned $13.8 million at the Friday box office (with Thursday previews included). Easily the day’s strongest total, the figure positions “Downton Abbey” for an opening weekend mark of over $30 million.
Such a debut would break the Focus record, which is previously held by “Insidious Chapter 3” ($23 million).
New releases “Rambo: Last Blood” ($7.2 million) and “Ad Astra” ($7.2 million) follow at #2 and #3, respectively. Both will likely finish the weekend in the high teens.
“Hustlers” took #4 Friday with $5.4 million, and “IT Chapter Two” grabbed #5 with $4.8 million.