Denzel Washington’s ‘Equalizer 3’ Earns Second-Highest Labor Day Weekend Box Office of All Time

Denzel Washington is back on top of the box office.

Equalizer 3 earned an estimated $42 million at the domestic box office over the four-day holiday weekend, making it the second-biggest Labor Day weekend ever, multiple outlets reported Monday.

2021 Marvel Studios movie Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings still holds the holiday weekend record with $94.6 million two years ago.

Equalizer 3 sees Washington, 68, return as Robert McCall, who begins a quiet life in southern Italy and ends up clashing with local mob members.

The third film in Washington Equalizer franchise directed by Antoine Fuqua reunites Washington with Dakota Fanning 19 years after they filmed the 2004 Man on fire.

Fuqua, 57, recently told PEOPLE that fans “come up to me all the time” to praise the action franchise. “They love Robert McCall,” he said of the character. “I think it has to do with justice. People, they want justice, and obviously in the movie you can see that happening.”

Dakota Fanning Says Reuniting With Denzel Washington in ‘Equalizer 3’ Was ‘Dream Come True’ (Exclusive)

Sony Pictures Entertainment/YouTube

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Equalizer 3 positioned itself as the conclusion of the trilogy for Washington, although Fuqua said he was open to spinoffs.

“Never say never. I’m going to miss Robert McCall. I think he was a great character. My hero,” he said, adding, “But I think he’s the last one.”

Denzel Washington had a ‘paternal’ relationship with Dakota Fanning on ‘Equalizer 3’ set, director says (Exclusive)

Denzel Washington in The Equalizer 3.

Stefano Montesi /Sony Pictures Entertainment /Everett

While Washington’s new film topped the domestic box office, Barbie took second place as it earned another $10.6 million, bringing its total to $609 million at the United States box office, per Box Office Mojo. Barbie is the highest-grossing film of the year so far.

Blue Beetle, Gran Turismo and Oppenheimer rounded up the top five movies of the weekend.

Equalizer 3 it’s in theaters now.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education