The New Line sequel took all of that from Thursday shows starting at 3pm, with opening-weekend forecasts easing into the $40m range.
That would still comfortably top 2021's Covid-era debut of $23.3m and could exceed the first film's entire $42.3m domestic run.
The film faces competition from The Devil Wears Prada 2, expected to get a Mother's Day boost, while Billie Eilish's concert film and Sheep Detectives posted $2.2m and $1m in previews.
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