“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” has scored the biggest opening of the year for a Hollywood film. Studio estimates on Sunday say the Illumination and Nintendo co-production earned $130.9 million over the weekend and $190.1 million in its first five days in North America. Released globally on Wednesday, the film capitalized on kids’ spring break vacations. It earned an estimated $182.4 million from 80 overseas markets, totaling a $372.5 million debut. Despite mixed reviews, audiences were enthusiastic. The movie features returning voice actors like Chris Pratt and Jack Black. It played in over 4,000 theaters in the U.S. and Canada.

A federal judge in New York has tossed out Blake Lively's sexual harassment claims against Justin Baldoni over the movie “It Ends With Us" but left intact claims for retaliation. The written ruling by Judge Lewis J. Liman in Manhattan was released late Thursday. Lively will still be allowed to put many of her allegations before a jury. Her lawyer says she looks forward to testifying. Lively sued Baldoni last December, alleging sexual harassment. Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer Studios countersued Lively and her husband, “Deadpool” actor Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of defamation and extortion. The judge dismissed Baldoni’s claims in June.

“Project Hail Mary” stayed aloft in its second weekend, holding strongly with $54.5 million, adding to the long-term prospects of the year’s biggest hit thus far. The Phil Lord and Chris Miller sci-fi adventure dipped only 32% after notching the best non-franchise opening weekend since 2023’s “Oppenheimer.” Amazon MGM’s yet, “Project Hail Mary” has grossed $300.8 million worldwide in two weeks. The weekend’s top new release, “They Will Kill You,” debuted with a disappointing $5 million for Warner Bros. The gory R-rated horror film starring Zazie Beetz only cost $20 million to make. But the result suggests theaters may have become oversaturated in horror.

Studio estimates on Sunday say Amazon MGM's “Project Hail Mary” has topped the North American box office charts with $80.5 million in ticket sales. It's the biggest opening for the studio and the second biggest ever for a non-franchise film, behind only “Oppenheimer.” The film was directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller and stars Ryan Gosling. Hollywood’s other big new opener, “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come,” a Searchlight release, has landed in a distant fourth, behind Disney and Pixar’s “Hoppers” and the Bollywood sequel “Dhurandhar: The Revenge.” Universal’s Colleen Hoover adaptation “Reminders of Him” has rounded out the top five.

The martial arts grandmaster and action star Chuck Norris has died. His roles in “Walker, Texas Ranger” and other television shows and movies made him an iconic tough guy, sparking internet parodies and adoration from presidents. He was 86. Norris died Thursday, in what his family described as a “sudden passing.” They didn't release details about his death. Before he would become a star in movies and on TV, Norris was wildly successful in competitive martial arts. His toughman image became the stuff of legend, sparking “Chuck Norris Facts” memes. He was also outspoken about his Christian beliefs and his support for gun rights, and backed political candidates for years.

A year after the actor’s death, a generative AI version of Val Kilmer will co-star in an independent film. It's one of the boldest uses yet of artificial intelligence in moviemaking. First Line Films announced Wednesday that Kilmer has posthumously joined the cast of a film titled “As Deep as the Grave.” The producers said that before his death, Kilmer had signed on to perform in the movie but was unable to do due to his health. Kilmer’s estate gave permission for his digital replication, and is being compensated for it. Kilmer died last April from pneumonia at the age of 65.

Paul Thomas Anderson won big at the Oscars with “One Battle After Another” but “Sinners” also landed major wins. But in the shadow of those big movies, actor Amy Madigan ended a 40-year wait between nomination and winning for “Weapons,” and the show honored Rob Reiner and Robert Redford in a long in memoriam section. Anderson, one of the most respected filmmakers of his generation, finally won an Oscar. Then he won another. Then he won the biggest one. There were also two stunning musical performances — “I Lied to You” from “Sinners” and “Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters.”