<P> It opened in Japan on August 11, alongside the superhero film X-Men: Apocalypse and delivered a four - day opening of $6.2 million from 676 screens ($3 million in two days), debuting at second place behind The Secret Life of Pets . Although the opening figure was considered mediocre, Deadline Hollywood noted that Japan is a market that can see big multiples . It fell just 30% in its second weekend earning $2.1 million for an eleven - day total of $13.7 million . </P> <P> In total earnings, its biggest markets outside of the US and Canada were China ($150.1 million), the United Kingdom ($66.2 million) and India ($38.8 million). It was the highest - grossing film of 2016 in Europe with a total of $209 million, the United Kingdom and Ireland, and in India (although it was later surpassed by Sultan, in terms of Hollywood / imported films, it is still the biggest). </P> <P> The film received praise for its visual effects, vocal performances, direction, musical score, and its faithfulness to the animated film . On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 95% based on 300 reviews, with an average rating of 7.7 / 10 . The site's critical consensus reads, "As lovely to behold as it is engrossing to watch, The Jungle Book is the rare remake that actually improves upon its predecessors--all while setting a new standard for CGI ." On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 77 out of 100, based on 49 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews ." Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale, while PostTrak reported filmgoers gave it an overall positive score of 92% . Ninety - seven percent of the audience gave the film an A or a B, and it got A's from both the under - and over-25 crowd and A+ among those under 18 years of age and also for the over-50 audience . </P> <P> Todd McCarthy of The Hollywood Reporter wrote, "Exceptionally beautiful to behold and bolstered by a stellar vocal cast, this umpteenth film rendition of Rudyard Kipling's tales of young Mowgli's adventures amongst the creatures of the Indian jungle proves entirely engaging, even if it's ultimately lacking in subtext and thematic heft ." Andrew Barker of Variety felt that this version "can't rival the woolly looseness of Disney's 1967 animated classic, of course, but it succeeds on its own so well that such comparisons are barely necessary ." Robbie Collin of The Telegraph gave the film four stars out of five, and deemed it "a sincere and full - hearted adaptation that returns to Kipling for fresh inspiration ." Alonso Duralde of The Wrap says "This' Book' might lack the post-vaudeville razzamatazz of its predecessor, but director Jon Favreau and a team of effects wizards plunge us into one of the big screen's most engrossing artificial worlds since Avatar ." Peter Bradshaw, writing for The Guardian, gave the film four out of five stars and felt that the film had a touch of Apocalypto in it, finding the plot elements to be similar to those in The Lion King . He wrote that the film was "spectacular, exciting, funny and fun" and that it "handsomely revives the spirit of Disney's original film ." Pete Hammond of Deadline Hollywood wrote that the film had laughs, excitement, an exceptional voice cast and, most importantly, a lot of heart, calling it a cinematic achievement like no other . He particularly praised Murray's performance and the visual effects, deeming it "simply astonishing ." Chris Nashawaty of Entertainment Weekly graded the film an "A--," calling it one of the biggest surprises of 2016 . He, however, felt the two songs were rather unnecessary and distracting, and believed the film to be a little too frightening for children . </P>

Who plays the bear in the jungle book