Downton Abbey ruled the box office this weekend, opening with an impressive $31 million.
The Los Angeles Times reports that the film far exceeded expectations, after analysts predicted the film would earn around $20 million. Downton Abbey is the biggest opening ever for Focus Features, eclipsing its former record holder, Insidious: Chapter 3, which grossed $22.7 million in 2015.
Downton Abbey launched its international rollout last weekend, earning $11.7 million in 17 countries and landing the No. 1 opening in the U.K. with $6.3 million. This week, it added another $10 million from the international box office for a worldwide cumulative of $61.8 million.
The film is the highly-anticipated revival of the British TV drama of the same name, which ended in 2015. Michael Engler, who helmed a few of the episodes, directed the film, while series creator Julian Fellowes wrote the script.
The film takes place about a year and a half after the events of the series finale, and focuses on how the Earl of Grantham and his family get ready for a visit from the king and queen of England. Almost all the original cast members returned for the movie.
Fox’s Brad Pitt space drama Ad Astra debuted in second place, with $19.2 million, slightly above initial predictions of $17 million. Rambo: Last Blood took the No. 3 spot, with $19 million, which was within the scope of its $17 to $20 million projections.
