Box Office: ‘Mean Girls’ Reigns With $33.2 Million Over MLK Weekend

Paramount’s “ Mean Girls ” musical earned a grool $33.2 million from 3,791 theaters over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, beating expectations. Based on the Broadway adaptation of the 2004 comedy classic, “Mean Girls” was originally commissioned with plans to skip theaters and make a streaming debut directly on Paramount+, but executives opted for a theatrical release after test screenings.

The new “Mean Girls” stars Angourie Rice as the homeschooled Cady Heron, a role originated by Lindsay Lohan in the original film. Reneé Rapp reprises her Broadway role as queen bee Regina George, with a cast that also includes Bebe Wood, Avantika and original stars Tim Meadows and Tina Fey, who also wrote the 2004 comedy.

Paramount intentionally downplayed the song and dance aspect in promotional materials. “To start off saying musical, musical, musical , you have the potential to turn off audiences,” Marc Weinstock, the studio’s president of global marketing, told Variety . “I want everyone to be equally excited.” The oh so pink musical film came in ahead of the Amazon MGM’s “ The Beekeeper ,” which nabbed $19 million over the four day frame.

The David Ayer directed conspiracy action movie stars Jason Statham as Adam Clay, a former espionage expert known as a Beekeeper, who embarks on a revenge mission. Josh Hutcherson, Jeremy Irons, Emmy Raver Lampman and Minnie Driver also star. Sony and Legendary Pictures’ “The Book of Clarence” crossed off only $3 million from 2,010 locations in its holiday opening weekend.

It’s a rough start for the biblical satire, which carries a $40 million production budget. Directed by Jeymes Samuel and starring LaKeith Stanfield, “The Book of Clarence” follows a down on his luck man who tries to capitalize on the rise of Jesus Christ by claiming to be a new Messiah sent by God..