In a bustling week at the box office, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem made an impressive debut, amassing $10.2 million on its opening day, including $3.85 million from Tuesday’s preview screenings. The animated adventure from Paramount and Nickelodeon took a strategic leap by releasing on a Wednesday, providing it with a head start over this weekend’s other contender, Warner Bros.’ shark sequel, Meg 2: The Trench, which is set to hit theaters on Friday.

The PG-rated adaptation of the beloved Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise is projected to garner between $35 million to $45 million over its initial five-day release. The movie boasts an economical $70 million production budget, a noteworthy contrast to some of the more extravagant summer blockbusters. The creative duo behind Superbad, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, are the masterminds behind this latest TMNT installment.

Featuring an ensemble voice cast, including Hannibal Buress, Rose Byrne, John Cena, Jackie Chan, and Ice Cube, the film follows the iconic Turtle brothers on their quest to conquer the streets of New York City after being sheltered from the human world for years.

Amidst the fierce competition between these newcomers, Greta Gerwig’s Barbie continues to hold its ground as the reigning champion at the box office. The fantasy comedy, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as the iconic Barbie and Ken, respectively, has charmed audiences and collected a remarkable $12.8 million on Wednesday alone. With a domestic haul of $394 million, Barbie solidifies its position as the second-highest grossing movie of the year. On a global scale, it stands tall as the third-biggest release of 2023, amassing an impressive $811 million in ticket sales.

The box office charts are also graced by Christopher Nolan’s historical drama, Oppenheimer, which is currently in its third weekend of release and remains a strong contender for second place.

As the weekend progresses, movie enthusiasts eagerly await the final box office figures, curious to witness how Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem and Barbie will fare against each other in this captivating cinematic showdown. Whether it’s the beloved TMNT brothers, the colossal megalodon, or the charming Barbie doll, the stage is set for a gripping weekend of cinematic entertainment.