Paddington in Peru Breaks UK Box Office Records

Paddington in Peru, the third installment in the beloved Paddington Bear franchise, has achieved record-breaking success at the UK box office, grossing £9.65 million ($12.4 million) in its opening weekend, marking the biggest debut for a British film since 2021's No Time to Die. This impressive figure surpasses the openings of the previous Paddington films and positions it as the third largest opening of the year to date, just behind Deadpool & Wolverine and Inside Out 2. Despite receiving lukewarm reviews compared to its predecessors, the film drew an estimated audience of 1.2 million across 732 cinemas. Critics noted that while the film retains its charm, it lacks some of the comedic elements that made earlier films standout. The film, directed by Dougal Wilson, is set to premiere in North American theaters on January 17, 2025. Paddington in Peru's success solidifies the franchise as a leading contender in family entertainment, having grossed over $600 million worldwide across the previous installments.