12:54 PM EDT, 07/29/2024 (MT Newswires) -- The opening weekend of Marvel's "Deadpool & Wolverine" beat projections and signals how a more consistent film slate can improve box office trends beginning with the second half of 2024, B. Riley Securities said in a note emailed Monday.

The Walt Disney ( DIS ) film earned $205 million domestically from Friday to Sunday, compared with projections of $160 million to $170 million, the brokerage wrote. Quarter-to-date box office revenue is down 4% on a year-over-year basis, versus B. Riley's full-quarter estimate that revenue would be down 10%.

"Over the past few years, we have argued that one of the biggest reasons for any disappointing box office recovery trajectory has been the lack of a consistent stream of anticipated films reaching theaters -- caused by the combined impacts of the pandemic and Hollywood strikes on film production," analyst Eric Wold said.

Releases since mid-June, including "Inside Out 2," "Despicable Me 4," "Twisters," and "Deadpool & Wolverine," have improved box office trends while a diversified film slate has brought more consumers to theaters, he said. B. Riley continues to forecast annual domestic box office revenue growth of 19% between 2024 and 2025.

Separately, Cinemark (CNK) said Monday it achieved the best summer opening weekend of all time with the release of "Deadpool & Wolverine" and the highest concessions revenue weekend since the pandemic. B. Riley reiterated a buy rating and a $27 price target on the stock.

"Building upon strong box office momentum over the past two months, Disney ( DIS ) and Marvel's highly anticipated super hero adventure, 'Deadpool & Wolverine,' just took theatrical moviegoing to a new stratosphere," Cinemark Chief Executive Sean Gamble said.

Imax ( IMAX ) boasted its biggest opening weekend since 2022 and best July opening ever with the movie raking in $36.5 million in its Imax ( IMAX ) global debut. The film continues "our hot start to the third quarter" and furthers Imax's ( IMAX ) momentum amid an improving slate, CEO Rich Gelfond said in a statement. B. Riley reiterated a buy rating and a $30 price target on Imax's ( IMAX ) stock.

AMC Entertainment ( AMC ) reported its highest weekend attendance and admissions revenue of 2024 and its highest weekend for domestic food and beverage revenue since 2019. "AMC has been predicting for quite some time that moviegoing would return to lofty levels this summer," CEO Adam Aron said. B. Riley maintained its neutral rating and an $8 target on the stock.

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