Jurassic World roars to global box office record

DINOSAURS are anything but extinct at the box office. Jurassic World has registered a stunning opening result, devouring records in the process.

DINOSAURS are anything but extinct at the box office.

Jurassic World, the fourth film in the series, became the highest global opener of all time with a staggering $US511.8 million ($660 million) in its first days in cinemas.

It also devoured a number of domestic box office records with a $US204.6 million take, according to Rentrak estimated on Sunday.

In addition to setting a record for 2015, Jurassic World is now the second-highest domestic opening of all time, right behind Marvel’s The Avengers which took in $US207.4 million in 2012.

There is a chance the film could dethrone Avengers.

Massive attack ... Indominus Rex gets ready to attack in a scene from the film Jurassic World. Picture: ILM/Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment via AP

Terrifying ... Nick Robinson, left, as Zach, and Ty Simpkins as Gray, in a scene from Jurassic World. Picture: ILM/Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment via AP

It’s been 14 years since there has been a new Jurassic film in cinemas, and the combination of cinematic grandeur, nostalgia and awareness helped Jurassic World far surpass analyst predictions going into the weekend, which had the film on track for a $US125 million opening.

“This over performed in a way that I’ve never seen,” Rentrak’s Senior Media Analyst Paul Dergarabedian said. “It broke the box office sound barrier.”

Universal Pictures and Legendary co-financed the $US150 million, PG-13 rated film.

Audiences in every quadrant turned out to see the film in cinemas.

According to exit polls, 39 per cent were under the age of 25, signifying the massive interest of both a new generation and the continued enthusiasm of those who saw Jurassic Park in 1993.

Hot pursuit ... Chris Pratt as Owen leads the raptors on a mission in a scene from the film Jurassic World. Picture: ILM/Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment via AP

Also, audiences shelled out the extra money to see the film in the biggest format possible. Approximately 48 per cent of domestic audiences opted for 3D.

“It is extraordinary. The film has resonated with audiences around the world,” said Nick Carpou, Universal’s President of Domestic Distribution.

Directed by Colin Trevorrow and executive produced by Steven Spielberg, Jurassic World is the third in a series of blockbusters for star Chris Pratt, who also starred in the 2014 box office hits Guardians of the Galaxy and The Lego Movie.

“He’s like Jimmy Stewart with a leather vest and muscles,” Dergarbedian said. “He’s a great modern-day action hero.”

Superstar ... critics say Chris Pratt is a great modern-day hero. Picture: Chuck Zlotnick/Universal Pictures via AP

Box office smash ... Chris Pratt, left, and Bryce Dallas Howard in a scene from the film Jurassic World. Picture: Chuck Zlotnick/Universal Pictures via AP

This is also likely not the last Jurassic film audiences will see. Pratt has stated in interviews that he has signed on for future instalments, but right now, Universal is focusing on what’s in theatres.

Jurassic World is just the latest hit for Universal in 2015, following Fifty Shades of Grey and Furious 7.

No studio even tried to compete with the unbeatable dinosaurs this weekend, and thus holdovers populated the rest of the top five.

Melissa McCarthy’s Spy earned $US16 million in its second weekend in cinemas, bringing its domestic total to $US56.9 million.

Performing strongly ... Melissa McCarthy and Jason Statham in a scene from the movie Spy. Picture: Supplied

Good sequel ... Pitch Perfect 2 has performed well at the box office. Picture: Supplied

San Andreas added another $US11 million, and Insidious Chapter 3 and Pitch Perfect 2 took the fourth and fifth spots, with $US7.3 million and $US6 million, respectively.

The dino-sized debut of Jurassic World is of utmost importance to the industry, too, which has seen three consecutive down weekends in what was supposed to be a record-setting summer.

“We got the wind back in the summer sails,” said Dergarabedian citing upcoming films like Inside Out,Mission: Impossible-Rogue Nation and Ted 2 as some of the big films on the way. “This gets the summer back on track,” he said.