#BOXOFFICE: “CHAPPIE” DEBUTS ATOP TEPID WEEKEND

It was a tepid weekend at the Box Office, but CHAPPIE prevails as the Leader with a $13.3 million debut from 3,201 theatres for Sony Pictures. Made for $49 million, it shouldn’t be long before the Robot Action/Sci-Fi pays its tab.  Critics didn’t think much of the Neill Blomkamp (District 9) Film with a 30% on the Tomatometer, but Audiences were more forgiving with a B CinemaScore.

After a #1 debut last week, FOCUS slips to second spot with $10 million for Warner Bros.   In two weeks, it has grossed $35 million domestically.

THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL debuts in third spot with $8.61 million from 1,573 theatres for Fox Searchlight. Audiences gave it a B+ CinemaScore and Critics responded positively with a 64% on the Tomatometer. The Sequel bests the $6 million wide opening for its 2012 Predecessor.  The Film is the second from Star Dev Patel who debuts with two Films in the Top Three this weekend – the other being CHAPPIE.

KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE shows staying powering, placing fourth with $8.3 million in its fourth week for 20th Century Fox. It closes-in on the $100 million-mark in North America.

FIFTY SHADES OF GREY slips to seventh spot with $5 million for Universal Pictures in its fourth week, grossing $152 million domestically.

THE LAZARUS EFFECT places eighth with $5.1 million for Relativity Media/D Films in its second week out.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS rounds-out the Top Ten for 20th Century Fox with $4.8 million from 2,777 theatres.  Critics gave it 13% on the Tomatometer and Audiences gave it a B- CinemaScore.