Monster Hunter movie makes $2.2m in US opening weekend

The live action adaptation of Capcom's best-selling Monster Hunter series opened in US cinemas this weekend, pushing total taking to $7 million.

IMDB Pro's Box Office Mojo reports the film took $2.2 million in box office takings during its box office opening weekend.

The Monster Hunter series has sold more than 65 million units worldwide -- thanks in part to the most recent entry Monster Hunter World, which stands as Capcom's best-selling title of all time at 16.4 million units.

The film is directed by Paul W. S. Anderson and stars Milla Jovovich, both of whom helmed the long-running series of Resident Evil film adaptations.

Jovovich stars the leader of a group of soldiers who are transported from our world to that of the monsters and must learn to fight them in order to find a way home.

The film has been available in selected markets around the world all month, having opened on December 3 in the Netherlands and arriving in China the following day.

So far, international takings have reached $4.8 million.

It's a subdued start compared to this year's other video games-based movie, Sonic The Hedgehog, which took $57 million in its US opening weekend and went on to gross $210 million in the first ten days.

The movie stands as the most successful games-based movie in history.

Of course, it's important to note Sonic benefitted from a cinema industry unhampered by the effects of the coronavirus.

The pandemic has led to the closure of cinemas around the world, and reluctance in consumers to visit those that are open.