'Secret Life of Pets' fetches $103.2M in its opening days

‘Secret Life of Pets’ fetches $103.2M in its opening days

LOS ANGELES

It’s a good time for animated animals at the box office. “The Secret Life of Pets” follows “Zootopia” and “Finding Dory” as the latest success this year, opening to a massive $103.2 million according to studio estimates Sunday.

The Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures film cost only $75 million to produce, and it features the voices of comedians like Louis C.K. and Kevin Hart. “Pets” has been warmly received by critics and audiences, who gave the film a promising A- CinemaScore.

Not adjusting for inflation, “Pets” earned the title of best opening ever for an original animated property. The previous record-holder was Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out,” which opened to $90.4 million last year.

Rounding out the top five at the box office were: “The Legend of Tarzan,” $20.6 million, second place; “Finding Dory,” $20.4 million, third place; “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates,” $16.6 million, fourth place; and “The Purge: Election Year,” $11.7 million, fifth place).

Chaka Khan, sister enter rehab over prescription drugs

NEW YORK

Chaka Khan and her sister have entered a drug rehabilitation program to battle their addictions to prescription drugs, and Khan says the death of her good friend Prince helped hasten her decision to get help.

In a statement released to The Associated Press on Sunday, the 63-year-old Grammy-winning singer said she has been battling an addiction to the same medication that led to Prince’s death. Prince was found dead at his Minnesota home April 21. An autopsy found he died of an overdose of fentanyl, a powerful opioid painkiller.

“Unfortunately, I will miss concert appearances over the summer,” she said. “However, it’s vital that I put my health and well-being first. I know that I am disappointing some of my fans, but I also know they would want me to recover and be well and healthy.”

Khan has entered an intensive rehabilitation and aftercare program with sister, Yvonne Stevens, also known as Taka Boom.

Khan said the pair “agreed we would take this journey together and support each other through the recovery.”

Associated Press