'Deadpool' and 'Kung Fu Panda 3' Keep Fox On Top Of Box Office

For the fifth straight week, Twenty-First Century Fox Inc (NASDAQ: FOXA) is going to win the box office crown and for the second straight week it will own the top two slots.

The smash hit "Deadpool" is cleaning up in theaters with an estimated $56 million in earnings, which bumps its total to nearly $237 million. While "Deadpool" already had the biggest opening for a R-rated film, the question now becomes if it can amass enough to top "The Passion of the Christ," which holds the record $370.8 million.

The answer is likely no because of the sheer number of movies due out in the coming weeks ,including "10 Cloverfield Lane," "Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice" and "Allegiant." The other factor is that "Passion" was fueled by religious audiences that rarely go to the theater except for faith-based films…which "Deadpool" is clearly not.

Fox is also seeing continued success with "Kung Fu Panda 3", now in its fourth week of release will add another $12.5
million to its bank for a total of $117 million. Investors are noting though that the third installment in the DreamWorks Animation produced film is coming nowhere near the totals of the previous two.

However, it must also be noted these are still solid numbers given it's the only one of the group to not open during the more lucrative summer season. International returns on the film are also still going strong and should continue to perform well in the long run.

Fox adds another film to the mix next weekend with "Eddie The Eagle," which is inspired by a true story and starring Hugh Jackman.