Box Office: ‘Blue Beetle’ Buzzes to $3.3M in Previews, ‘Strays’ Follows with $1.1M

The family-friendly Blue Beetle opened at the box office with $3.3 million in Thursday night previews.

Directed by Ángel Manuel Soto, the DC and Warner Bros. event pic Hollywood’s first live-action superhero film built around a Latino protagonist and hopes to become a breakthrough for Latino audiences and for Latino representation in front of and behind the camera. And according The Hollywood Reporters assessment, it stands to say Cobra Kai recruit Xolo Maridueña “on the map as a young actor with the right spark to carry a new offshoot of the DC Extended Universe.”

Blue Beetle hopes to open domestically in the $30 million range and could have bragging rights to topple Barbie from first place after four weekends (talk about a superhero performance).

Adriana Barraza, Damían Alcázar, Raoul Max Trujillo, Susan Sarandon, George Lopez, Elpidia Carrillo, Bruna Marquezine, Belissa Escobedo, Harvey Guillén and Becky G also star.

Soto’s film was originally slated for HBO Max, but Warner Bros. changed course at the end of 2021.

Blue BeetleSoto’s release was hampered by the SAG-AFTRA strike, meaning Soto’s cast cannot participate in the publicity tour. However, several Latino organizations are lending a hand around the country through special screenings and other events.

The last studio superhero photo of the summer season goes counter RoamsUniversal’s raunchy dog ​​comedy.

Roamswhich hopes to work its way to a mid-teens opening, earned $1.1 million in previews, including $275,000 in early access screenings.

The star-studded voice cast includes Will Ferrell, Jamie Foxx, Isla Fisher, Randall Park and Josh Gad. Equivalent to Blue Beetlethe picture failed to include its cast in publicity plans.