Top Gun: Maverick hauled in $248mn worldwide in its opening weekend, offering hope to struggling cinema owners for a summer box office revival after two lean years caused by the pandemic and an explosion in streaming services.

The action thriller, a sequel to the 1986 film that made Tom Cruise one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, has been praised by critics as a classic summer popcorn movie. It earned Cruise his first $100mn opening weekend — thanks in part to the actor’s own relentless promotion efforts that included appearances in San Diego, Cannes, London — where the screening was attended by Prince William and his wife Kate — and Japan.

The film was number one at the box office in the US and worldwide, bringing in  $124mn in its first three days in North American theatres, and another $124mn internationally, Paramount said. It cost about $150mn to make.