The Woman King, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, is performing better than anticipated with a projected $18 million three-day start, following $1.7 million from Thursday previews and $6.8 million on Friday
The Viola Davis-starring, Viola Davis-produced historical drama, which cost $50 million to make, had a triumphant debut at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this month.
On the first day, the majority of attendees were Black people and women, who made up 59% and 60% of the total attendance, respectively.
Sony is betting that Sunday's increased attendance at churches would increase sales and help the movie maintain its lead atop the box office rankings.
The Woman King, about an all-female clan of warriors in 19th-century Africa, is getting accolades for its action choreography and the performances of its ensemble, especially newbie Thuso Mbedu.
Prince-Bythewood is coming off of Netflix's well-received action movie The Old Guard.
The popular horror movie Barbarian, which debuted at number one last week, fell to number two but held its position impressively well.
Barbarian, which debuted at $1.96 million on Friday, is predicted to drop just 38% in its second weekend, compared to the average horror movie's over 60% decline.
The movie has amassed a running domestic total of over $21 million, proving that 20th Century Studios made the right choice in giving it a theatre distribution based solely on the merits of the picture.