"Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" grossed $35.8 million at the box office. It's the best second-weekend gross of any film during the pandemic.
"Fast and Furious" sequel "F9" fared better than any other pandemic release. "Malignant," a horror thriller, debuted with $5.6 million. "Shang-Chi" added $6.3 million from 69 markets.
Disney announced that all of its remaining 2021 releases will open exclusively in theaters and not land on Disney+ at the same time.
"Shang-Chi" is playing exclusively in theaters, and its second-week drop, 53%, was relatively modest.
In two weeks of release, it has grossed $247.6 million globally.
At its current pace, "Shang-Chi," the first Marvel movie to star an Asian superhero (played by Simu Liu), may become the top summer release at the North American box office.
Globally, its path is less certain.
Worldwide, Universal's "Fast and Furious" sequel "F9" has fared better than any other pandemic release with more than $714 million in ticket sales. The $90 million four-day Labor Day weekend opening for "Shang-Chi" was widely seen as an encouraging sign for the industry amid the coronavirus surge in the U.S. On Friday, Disney announced that all of its remaining 2021 releases, including Marvel's "Eternals," will open exclusively in theaters, and not land on Disney+ at the same time.