Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum led the action-adventure comedy throwback “The Lost City” to a $31 million debut in U.S. and Canadian theaters over the weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday, dethroning “The Batman” from the No. 1 spot the superhero film had held for most of March.
“The Lost City” relied on the now relatively old-fashioned concept of star power to propel the Paramount Pictures release above expectations at the box office. Bullock has long been a singular top draw, but her great appeal had in recent years been felt most on Netflix, where 2018′s “Bird Box” became one of the streamer’s most-watched releases. And Tatum, after a hiatus from lead roles, recently proved his popularity with the still-playing hit “Dog” (now up to $57.9 million in six weeks), which he co-directed.
Bullock and Tatum’s chemistry together helped make “The Lost City,” directed by the brothers Adam and Aaron Nee, an appealing romantic-comedy diversion with shades of 1984′s “Romancing the Stone.” It also notably attracted a majority female audience. During the pandemic, male moviegoers have been quicker to return.
