John Krasinski’s “A Quiet Place” blasted past expectations to notch the second-best debut of the year, opening with $50.2 million in ticket sales, according to final studio figures Monday. The Paramount Pictures thriller, the third film directed by the former “The Office” star, had been pegged to open closer to $30 million. The unexpected success of the $17 million movie gave Viacom Inc.’s Paramount a much-needed hit and the studio’s best non-sequel opening weekend in nearly five years. The Universal Pictures R-rated comedy “Blockers,” with Leslie Mann and John Cena, also performed solidly, collecting $20.6 million in its debut. Last week’s top film, Steven Spielberg’s “Ready Player One,” slid to second but held well.
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