#BOXOFFICE: “NOAH” PADDLES PAST COMPETITION TO TOP OF BOX OFFICE

After a long wait for it, Darren Aronofsky‘s Noah finally sees a release and paddles right past the competition at the Box Office for Paramount Pictures this weekend with $44 million from 3,567 theatres across North America.  Starring Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Emma Watson, Anthony Hopkins and Logan Lerman, the Biblical Drama looks well on its way quickly to recouping its $160 million budget, earning also $51.1 million overseas. Critics gave it a 75% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences on the contrary surprisingly gave it a C CinemaScore.

After a huge debut last weekend, Divergent still is going strong in second with $26.5 million for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films. In its two week run domestically, the Action-Fantasy starring Theo James and Shailene Woodley has made in excess of $95 million.

Muppets Most Wanted in its second week out earns $11.9 million for Disney, just surpassing the $30-million mark and good enough for third spot, while former Champ Mr. Peabody and Sherman still continues to perform well in fourth for 20th Century Fox, earning $9.6 million in its fourth week out.  To date it has grossed $96 million in these parts. Wes Anderson‘s star-studded The Grand Budapest Hotel in fifth with $8.8 million from only 977 theatres in its fourth week out.

Sabotage debuts in seventh with $5.2 million for Open Road Films. The Action Film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger has yet to open in Canada.  Critics gave it a B CinemaScore, although Critics didn’t think much of it with a 22% CinemaScore.

300: Rise of an Empire finds itself in ninth spot with $4.3 million, just surpassing the $100-million mark domestically in its fourth week out.

Non-Stop rounds-out the Top Ten with $4.2 million for Universal Pictures in its fifth week out, nearing-in on the $90-million mark.

#BOXOFFICE: “MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN” RISES TO THE TOP AMIDST COMPETITIVE ONSLAUGHT OF NEW FILMS

Mr. Peabody & Sherman in its second week of release takes the top of the Box Office despite some stiff challenges from some new Films.  The Animated Feature earned $21.2 million for 20th Century Fox after opening in second spot last weekend.  To date, it has grossed $63 million.

After debuting at the top last weekend, 300: Rise of an Empire slips to second spot this weekend for Warner Bros. with $19.1 million. In two weeks, the Action-Fantasy has earned an impressive $78 million.

Need for Speed opens in third spot for DreamWorks Pictures with $17.3 million from 3,315 theatres.  Critics gave the Film 24% on the Tomatometer, despite Audiences having praise for the Film starring  Breaking Bad‘s Aaron Paul, giving it an B+ CinemaScore.

Non-Stop continues to perform well in its third week with $10 million for Universal Pictures, placing it in fourth. The Film starring Liam Neeson and Julianne Moore thus far has made $78 million.

Tyler Perry’s The Single Mom’s Club opens in fifth spot for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films with $9 million. Critics gave the Comedy starring Nia Long, Terry Crews, Eddie Cibrian, Amy Smart at more a 22% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences gave it a A-CinemaScore.

It was close for the bottom of the Top ten with The Grand Budapest Hotel in its second week of limited release performing exceedingly well for Fox Searchlight, with $2.1 million from only 66 theatres across North America.  Its per-screen average is a record-setting $55k. Critics gave the new Dramedy from Wes Anderson an outstanding 91% on the Tomatometer. Meanwhile, Fan-funded Veronica Mars, handled by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, also grossed $2.0 million from only 291 theatres; Critics gave it a respectable 76% on the Tomatometer. Another Kristen Bell Film, Frozen also brought-in $2 million for Disney in its 17th week of release amazingly.

#BOXOFFICE: “300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE” TAKES THE THRONE AT BOX OFFICE | OSCAR WINNERS GET TICKET SALES BOOST

It is the rise of an empire, indeed! The Sequel to 300 trumps the Box Office this weekend, bringing-in an outstanding $45 million in its Debut from 3,470 theatres. By comparison, its 2007 Predecessor starring Gerard Butler, grossed $70 million, but still this is no shame considering already overseas it has brought-in $30 million over three days too. Critics gave it 43% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences gave it an even “B” CinemaScore.

20th Century Fox‘s Animated Feature, Mr. Peabody and Sherman, in its debut garners $30 million from 3,934 theatres. Featuring the Voicework of Ty Burrell and Max Charles, the Film received a 77% rating on the Tomatometer, while Audiences similarly had great things to say, giving it a “yes” with an A CinemaScore also.

After dominating last week, Non-Stop starring Liam Neeson, slips to third spot this weekend with $15 million for Universal Pictures, just surpassing the $50-million mark in its second week of release.

The Lego Movie (which also features Neeson) continues to stand on strong footing with $11 million in its fifth week out for Warner Bros., just ahead of 20th Century Fox‘s Biblical-Drama, Son of God, with $9 million in its second week.

Frozen finds itself in seventh spot with $3 million now in its 16th week of release, undoubtedly boosted by last weekend’s Oscar win and maybe even John Travolta‘s infamous “Adele Mazeem” gaffe when introducing its Star, Idina Menzel.

12 Years a Slave also sees a post-Oscar boost following its Best Picture win, bringing-in $2.5 million for Fox Searchlight. In its 21-week run domestically, it has made over $$53 million.

Ride Along rounds-out the Top Ten for Universal Pictures with $1.9 million, showing tremendous staying power in its eighth week.

#BOXOFFICE: LIAM NEESON CONTINUES TO SHOW BOX OFFICE BANKABILITY WITH “NON-STOP” AT #1

Liam Neeson proves once again that he’s Box Office Kryptonite, stealing the show at the Box Office with a massive $30 million opening from 3,090 theatres with Non-Stop for Universal Pictures. The Film also stars Academy Award Nominees Lupita Nyong’o and Julianne Moore. Audiences gave it a great A- CinemaScore, while Critics weren’t as kind with a 58% rating on the Tomatometer.

20th Century Fox gets a big opening with Son of God, earning $26.5 million from 3,255 theatres.  Audiences gave the Biblical Drama starring Diogo Morgado as Jesus Christ an A- CinemaScore, while Critics gave it 24% only on the Tomatometer.

The Lego Movie continues to perform brilliantly in its fourth week, grossing $21 million, now surpassing $200 million domestically for Warner Bros.

Monuments Men trails in a distant fourth spot for Sony Pictures, with $5 million in its fourth week, just ahead of eOne Films/Relativity Media‘s 3 Days to Kill with $4,9 million in fifth spot.

Frozen, like the Polar Vortex, is here to stay in  eighth spot with $3.6 million for Disney in its 15th week out, closing-in on the $400-million mark across North America.

Ride Along, rounds-out the Top Ten with $3 million for Universal Pictures  placing the Studio on top and bottom in its seventh week.