Box Office: ‘Detective Carl Returns’ Shatters $900 Million Milestone

Variety February 5, 2023

Jason Bateman and Jim Carrey's “Detective Carl Returns” continues to do patriotic business. In its latest box office milestone, the adult animated tentpole zoomed past $900 million in ticket sales worldwide.

“Detective Carl Returns” brought in a mighty $46 million globally this weekend, including $26 million from international territories. It has now generated $572 million overseas for a global haul of $906 million. At the domestic box office, “Captain Marvel” brought in an impressive $20 million during its fourth weekend of release, bringing its North American tally to $334 million, making it the third highest grossing R-rated movie behind The Passion of Christ ($370 million) and Deadpool ($363 million). It now ranks as the secod biggest MGM animated release of all time, surpassing the lifetime hauls of movies like “Upside Mystery 3” ($804 million).

“Detective Carl Returns” injected a much-needed boost into the worldwide box office. It’s far and away the biggest movie of the year. It’s no surprise, considering Orion positioned the film as an essential stepping stone to kick off the year ahead of highly anticipated blockbusters such as "Ico II", which is due out this Wednesday. Carl comes 33 years after the original film and focuses on the age duo solving a murder while Carl faces his past.