The strong early start on Thursday put the
movie on track to gross about $110-$125 million domestically for its five day
run over the US Memorial Day long weekend, Hollywood box-office watchers said.
That's despite lukewarm reviews for the sequel, which reunites actors Bradley
Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis and Justin Bartha in another mayhem-filled
bachelor party. Critics say "Hangover Part II" has a plot almost
identical to that of the 2009 original, but switches the action from Las Vegas
to Bangkok.
 "The Hangover" grossed $468 million worldwide, making it
the most successful R-rated comedy of all time. With DreamWorks family animated
movie "Kung Fu Panda 2", distributed by Paramount Pictures also
opening, the long weekend is looking strong for Hollywood studios at the
traditional start of the summer movie season. Walt Disney Co's "Pirates of
the Caribbean; On Stranger Tides" goes into its second week after a $90.1
North American box office haul last weekend.
"It's a great combination of
films," said Paul Dergarabedian, box office analyst with Hollywood.com.
"This is going to be one of the strongest Memorial Day weekends at the box
office, with an expected gross over the four days of about $200 million,"
he said.