Step aside, Batman and Superman. Melissa McCarthy is The Boss at the box office now.
The actress’s latest comedy narrowly topped Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice at the weekend box office with a $23.5 million debut, according to comScore estimates Sunday.
The Boss stars McCarthy as an over-the-top business mogul attempting to rebound after being convicted of insider trading.
McCarthy’s win wasn’t a total knockout. The Warner Bros. superhero smackdown starring Ben Affleck as the Dark Knight and Henry Cavill as the Man of Steel nabbed $23.4 million in its third weekend.
Despite poor reviews and word of mouth, Batman v Superman has earned an estimated $296.7 million to date.
Batman v Superman earned an additional $34 million in 67 international markets, bringing its international total to $486.8 million.
When the final box office figures are released Monday, the DC Comics mash-up could end up overcoming McCarthy’s R-rated Universal comedy.
“It’s incredibly close,” said Paul Dergarabedian, comScore’s senior media analyst.
“It’s one of the closest results between first- and second-place films I’ve ever seen. Anything can happen.
“We’ll know for sure tomorrow.”
Disney’s Zootopia landed in third place with $14.4 million.
In its sixth weekend, the animated film featuring the voices of Jason Bateman and Ginnifer Goodwin has earned a total domestic haul of $296 million.
The weekend’s only other newcomer STX Entertainment’s first-person action romp Hardcore Henry, opened in fifth place with a dismal $5.1 million.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to comScore.
1. The Boss, $23.5 million ($1 million international).
2. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, $23.4 million ($34 million international).
3. Zootopia, $14.4 million ($ 22.7 million international).
4. My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, $6.4 million ($3.3 million international).
5. Hardcore Henry, $5.1 million.
6. Miracles From Heaven, $4.8 million ($1.1 million international).
7. God’s Not Dead 2, $4.3 million.
8. The Divergent Series: Allegiant, $3.6 million.
9. 10 Cloverfield Lane, $3 million ($6.2 million international).
10. Eye in the Sky, $2.8 million.