Audience members watch the beginning of "Black Panther" during a private screening on Friday, Feb. 16, 2018, in Grand Blanc, Mich. (Bronte Wittpenn /The Flint Journal-MLive.com via AP) (Associated Press) 
 
 Audience members watch the beginning of "Black Panther" during a private screening on Friday, Feb. 16, 2018, in Grand Blanc, Mich. (Bronte Wittpenn /The Flint Journal-MLive.com via AP) (Associated Press) 
 
 NEW YORK (AP) — Already a much-celebrated pop culture milestone, "Black Panther" is now a record-setting smash at the box office, too. 
 
 Studio estimates Sunday say the Marvel superhero film blew past expectations, with $192 million in ticket sales over the weekend. That makes "Black Panther" the fifth-biggest opening weekend ever, not accounting for inflation. It's also the highest-grossing February opening weekend. 
 
 Ryan Coogler's film, which cost about $200 million to make, is the most big-budget, largely black ensemble film in years and among the few to be centered on a black superhero. 
 
 The strong opening suggests "Black Panther" will easily set a box-office record for films directed by a black filmmaker. 
 
 The movie has been hugely acclaimed, with a 97 percent fresh rating from Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences agreed, giving it an A-plus CinemaScore.
– Already a much-celebrated pop culture milestone, Black Panther is now a record-setting smash at the box office, too. Studio estimates Sunday say the Marvel superhero film blew past expectations, with $192 million in North American ticket sales over the weekend, the AP reports. That makes Black Panther the fifth-biggest opening weekend ever, not accounting for inflation. It's also the highest-grossing February opening weekend. Ryan Coogler's film, which cost about $200 million to make, is the most big-budget, largely black ensemble film in years and among the few to be centered on a black superhero. The strong opening suggests Black Panther will easily set a box-office record for films directed by a black filmmaker. The movie has been hugely acclaimed, with a 97% fresh rating (100% from top critics) from Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences agreed, giving it an A-plus CinemaScore.