#BOXOFFICE: “FIFTY SHADES OF GREY” WHIPS THE COMPETITION VALENTINE’S DAY WEEKEND!

Not that there ever was a doubt about it, but FIFTY SHADES OF GREY  manages to exceed expectations  still with a smashing $81.7 million opening from 3,646 theatres for Universal Pictures. This feat makes it one of the highest-grossing R-rated openings of all time with the likes of The Passion of the Christ and Matrix Reloaded. The E.L. James Adaptation from Director Sam Taylor-Johnson, might not have gotten much love critically this Valentine’s Day weekend, but Fans certainly are in love at the Box Office.  It received a 22% from Critics on the Tomatometer. Audiences gave it a C+ CinemaScore.  It was just announced the Sequel starts filming this Summer in Vancouver!  We don’t care what anyone thinks. WE LOVE IT. Our Review here.

KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE opens solid with an amazing $35.6 million from 3,204 theatres for 20th Century Fox.  The Action/Mystery starring Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson and Tagar Egerton opens with a strong 71% on the Tomatometer and B+ CinemaScore from Audiences.

THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER continues to go well in its second week with $30.5million from 3.654 theatres for Paramount Pictures. In already has surpassed the $100-million-mark domestically.

AMERICAN SNIPER slips to fourth spot for Warner Bros. in its eighth week out with $16.4 million.  To date, it has grossed $307 million in North America.

THE IMITATION GAME continues to get positive word of mouth, hanging-on to the Top Ten in eighth with $3.3 million for The Weinstein Co./eOne Films, reaching the $80-million-mark domestically.

PROJECT ALMANAC rounds-out the Top Ten for Paramount Pictures with $2.7 million in its third week.

#BOXOFFICE: “AMERICAN SNIPER” ON-TOP A THIRD WEEK

For  a third straight week, AMERICAN SNIPER shows absolute domination of the Box Office in North America, bringing-in $31  million from 3,885 theatres for Warner Bros.  In six weeks, this latest effort from Clint Eastwood brings-in $248 million.

PADDINGTON continues to benefit from word-of-mouth for The Weinstein Co./eOne Films, rising to second spot with $7.8 million in its third week out. Cumulatively, the Film has made almost $50 million.4

Teen-Time Travel Romp PROJECT ALMANAC debuts in third with $7.7 million for Paramount Pictures.  Critics weren’t sold on it with a 36% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences gave it a decent B CinemaScore.

BLACK OR WHITE debuts in fourth for D Films/Relativity Media with $6.2 million from 1,823 theatres.  The TIFF ’14 Selection starring Kevin Costner and Octavia Spencer, debuts with strong Audience reaction, an A- CinemaScore and a 34% on the Tomatometer.

THE BOY NEXT DOOR lands in fifth this weekend with $5.7 million for Universal Pictures, now in its second week out, a two-week total  of $25 million.

THE IMITATION GAME continues to roll along well for Elevation Pictures/The Weinstein Co.  in its Oscar Trail, in seventh spot this weekend with $5.3 million, a total $68 million grossed in its tenth week out.

THE LOFT debuts in tenth with $2.6 million for Open Road Films. The Danish Adaptation Thriller starring James Marsden and Wentworth Miller has yet to get a Canadian release.