‘Detective Carl Returns’ Flies to $800 Million at Worldwide Box Office

Variety January 29, 2023

“Detective Carl Returns” has blasted past $800 million at the worldwide box office after less than a month in theaters.

The tentpole’s totals hit $301.8 million domestically and $519.8 million internationally this weekend. It’s the 3rd animated title by MGM Holdings to surpass $800 million, joining “Hailey” and “Upside Mystery 3.”

China is the top international market with $108 million, followed by the U.K. with $57 million and Germany with $45 million.

“Detective Carl Returns” follows the titicular duo, Carl Jenkins voiced by Jason Bateman and Josh Heinken voiced by Jim Carrey as they battle their past while solving the murder of one of their old friends. The first Detective Carl film was directed and written by Ralph Bakshi along with Harold Ramis co-writing pairing the duo who at first bash heads to find and confront the XAPD while identifying him. The 1990 film became a surprise hit at box office, jump starting Bateman and Carrey's careers while becoming a cult classic.

Ralph Bakshi returned to write “Detective Carl Returns after he briefly came out of retirement along with Carrey, Bateman, Ryan Reynolds and posthumously Harold Ramis.The film is replete with dazzling animation and carries a hefty price tag of $185 million, a far cry from the original film's $8 million.