#BOXOFFICE: “RIDE ALONG” SETS BOX OFFICE RECORD FOR MARTIN LUTHER KING WEEKEND

Exceeding  expectations of many this weekend is Ride Along, getting a timely Martin Luther King Day weekend release from Universal Pictures, raking-in a record-setting $47.8 million for the Holiday in its debut! The Action-Comedy starring Ice Cube and Funnyman Kevin Hart brought-on the laughs from its Audience with an A CinemaScore, although Critics agreed it wasn’t as stellar with a 16% rating on the Tomatometer.

After a huge debut last weekend, Lone Survivor slips to second spot for Universal Pictures/eOne Films with $23 million from 2,989 theatres.  In just two weeks, the Film has grossed $55 million, undoubtedly boosted earlier this week by its wins at the Critics Choice Awards, including Best Action Film.

The Nut Job opens this weekend with a solid $20 million for Open Road Films/eOne Films.  Made for $45 million, the Canadian/South Korean/American Animated-Feature starring Will Arnett didn’t get much love critically, but Audiences reacted well giving it a B CinemaScore.

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit opens in fourth spot with $16.5 million for Paramount Pictures, the fifth Film in the Franchise of Tom Clancy Adaptations starring Chris Pine.  Reviews have been decent for the Film, tallying-in at 61% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences gave it a B CinemaScore.

American Hustle sees a nice boost this weekend with $10 million grossed from 2,204 theatres for Sony Pictures/eOne Films – good enough for sixth spot –  undoubtedly from all its exposure last week winning three Golden Globe Awards where it won Motion Picture – Comedy.

Devil’s Due debuts in seventh spot with $8.4 million from 2,544 theatres for 20th Century Fox, the Horror Film garnering 19% on the Tomatometer and an equally unforgiving D+ CinemaScore.

Spike Jonze’s Her rounds-out the Top Ten for Warner Bros. with $4 million from 1,729 theatres in its fifth week of release.