Unbelievable! Expectations were high for AMERICAN SNIPER, but who would’ve known that it would pull-in $88 million in its debut from 3,555 theatres for Warner Bros. this weekend? The Clint Eastwood Drama starring Bradley Cooper opened – pardon the pun – with a bang, with $30.5 million debut Friday, setting an all-time record for a January release. This also has the distinction of being Eastwood‘s highest-grossing opening for a Film also. Critics were fairly impressed with a 72% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences gave it a superb A+ CinemaScore. Undoubtedly its Best Picture nod earlier this week helped solidify the buzz for Moviegoers.
THE WEDDING RINGER starring a Duo of Funnymen in Kevin Hart and Chris Rock debuts in second with a solid $20.6 million for Sony Pictures from 3,003 theatres. Critics weren’t impressed with a 33% on the Tomatometer, but Audiences loved it with an A-CinemaScore, which should bode well for spreading word of mouth in coming weeks.
PADDINGTON opens in third this weekend for eOne Films/The Weinstein Co. with a good $19.3 million from 3,303 theatres. Get this, Critics gave it a brilliant 98% on the Tomatometer, and an on-par A CinemaScore was received from Audiences for this Adaptation of the internationally-adored Children’s Franchise. Ben Whishaw and Nicole Kidman star in the Film.
TAKEN 3 after opening on-top last weekend, slips to fourth spot with $15.3 million for 20th Century Fox. In two weeks it has pulled-in a spiffy $66 million domestically.
SELMA might not have received a lot of Oscar love, but Audiences certainly are perceptive to all the buzz surrounding the Best Picture Nominee, placing fifth with $10.3 million for Paramount Pictures in its fourth week out, expanding to 2,235 theatres this weekend.
THE IMITATION GAME crosses the $50 million-mark domestically in its eighth week out, also expanding to 1,611 theatres for The Weinstein Co./Elevation Pictures. The Best Picture Nominee places seventh this weekend with $7.3 million.
NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB rounds-out the Top Ten with $3.9 million in its fourth week out. It now has made $106.5 million domestically for 20th Century Fox.
Ignore those nasty Reviews, Audiences still v. much are in-love with TAKEN. In an opening as explosive as the Action the Franchise is known for, the Trilogy Finale starring once again Liam Neeson, takes-in $40.4 million for 20th Century Fox from 3.594 theatres. In comparison to its Predecessors, this latest Installment doesn’t quite eclipse the opening weekend success of 2012’s TAKEN 2, which brought-in $49 million in its debut. It does however surpass 2009’s first Installment, which opened with $24 million. Critics were unanimous in their snubbing with an 11% on the Tomatometer, but Audiences gave it a solid B+ CinemaScore. Made for $48 million, it looks well on its way to turning a profit.
Paramount Pictures‘ big Oscar Vehicle SELMA opens with $11 million from 2,179 theatres, Both Audiences and Critics alike agree that the Ava DuVernay Film is phenomenal, with an A+ CinemaScore and a matching 98% CinemaScore.
UNBROKEN continues to show amazing consistency, landing in third in its third week out with $8.2 million for Universal Pictures, just surpassing the $100 million-mark domestically.
Disney‘s INTO THE WOODS places fifth this weekend with $8.68 million, also surpassing the $100 million-mark in three weeks. The Film is up for Best Comedy/Musical at the Golden Globe Awards, although it is seen widely as an Outsider in the Oscar race.
THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES finds itself in fifth spot in its fourth week out with $8.61 million for Warner Bros. It thus far has made $235 million in its North American run.
In sixth with $7 million is The Weinstein Co./Elevation Pictures’ THE IMITATION GAME which continues its Oscar Trail with a major piece of the puzzle in its fate being unveiled at Sunday night’s Golden Globe Awards.
THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY, PART 1 rounds-out the Top Ten with $3.6 million for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films, now in its eighth week out and a dazzling $329 million grossed domestically to-date.
Although it is no real surprise, Skyfall, the latest in the James Bond Franchise, opens in with some spectacular numbers this weekend. Opening in 3,505 theatres, the Action-Thriller earns $87 million in its North American debut after pulling-in amazing numbers overseas where it opened prior, already earning $321 million in those territories. This qualifies as the highest opening for the Franchise in Daniel Craig‘s time in the iconic Role, besting Quantum of Solace which opened in North America with $67 million back in January 2009.
Last week’s Champ Wreck-it Ralph still is going strong and Families are responding in droves, earning $33 million in its second weekend of release. In just two weeks, the Animated Feature from Disney has grossed over $90 million already.
Trailing in a distant third is Paramount Pictures’ Flight starring Denzel Washington, with $15.1 million from 2,047 theatres in its second weekend, just ahead of the amazing Argo in fourth with $6.7 million, now earning over $85 million in its domestic Run for Warner Bros.
The remainder of the Top Ten is rounded out by some Veterans, including Taken 2 in its fifth week taking-in $4 million, edging Pitch Perfect in sixth spot with $2.4 million. Former number one Film Hotel Transylvania, slips to tenths pot with $2.1 million. Sony Pictures just announced a Sequel is on-the-way for the Monster Smash.
Bubbling-under is Disney‘s Lincoln which earned a stellar $900k this weekend from just 11 theatres across North America, where screenings were sold-out almost completely. The Film is showing exclusively in Toronto at Varsity Cinemas and will continue to expand in coming weeks. Lots of Oscar buzz for Daniel Day-Lewis here; expect this one to be a Player in coming weeks.
Unbelievably, Ben Affleck’s Argo finds itself at number one with $12.5 million on a really tepid Weekend, climbing steadily to the summit since its debut three weeks ago. The Drama which is seen widely as a Frontrunner for Best Picture, still is showing in 2,855 theatres across North America. To-date it has earned $61.5 million domestically.
Mega-Opus Cloud Atlas, despite gaining high marks for Artistic Merit, alas debuts below expectations in second with $9.5 million for Warner Bros. Critics gave it favourable Reviews, tallying 61% on the Tomatometer. The Film with a Cast of Megastars including Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Susan Sarandon, Hugh Grant, Hugo Weaving and several more, was made for a budget of $102 million.
Former number one Hotel Transylvania still is going strong into Halloween with $9 million in its fifth week – enough to land it in third this weekend for Sony Pictures, just ahead of last week’s Champion Paranormal Activity 4, which happens also to be in fourth with $8.6 million.
Silent Hill: Revelation 3-D which debuts in fifth with $8.5 million, from 2,933 theatres for Open Road/Alliance Films. The Horror which was filmed in Toronto, earned only 7% on the Tomatometer at Rotten Tomatoes.
Rounding-out the Horror Contingent is Sinister, which still hanging-tough in ninth with $5 million in its third week. Pitch Perfect rounds out the Top Ten for Universal Pictures with $4.2 million.
Remaining true to form, Paranormal Activity 4 opens big in its debut this weekend for Paramount Pictures. The Franchise which has grossed over $295 million prior in North America alone, earns $30 million with its latest from 3,412 theates. Made for only $5 million, the Horror uncharacteristically received negative Reviews unlike its well-received Predecessors, with 24% garnered on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer.
Ben Affleck’s Argo continues to performing outstandingly at the Box Office, sitting at number two this weekend with $16.7 million, now earning a total $45.5 million in two weeks. Its Cast continues to promote the factual Drama on the Talk Show Circuit with Bryan Cranston even hitting-up a far-reaching Audience including Viewers of Chelsea Lately this week. Even Wife of Affleck, Jennifer Garner, was on the Show promoting her own Film Butter, singing the Film’s praises recently.
Even though it slips to third spot this weekend, Taken 2 is still going strong in its third week, earning $13.3 million for Universal Pictures, just ahead of another former Champion in Sony Pictures’ Hotel Transylvania with $13.2 million.
Alex Cross opens in fifth spot with $12 million for eOne Films/Summit Entertainment/Lionsgate Films from 2,539 theatres. The Action-Thriller starring the unlikeliest of Combinations in Matthew Fox and Tyler Perry, might not have fared well with Critics (13% on the Tomatometer), but Audiences gave it an “A” CinemaScore.
Pitch Perfect continues to exceed expectations hanging onto the Top Ten in its fourth week at number right with a respectable $6.8million, while Looper rounds things out with with $4.1 million.
Although hotly-buzzed Horror Sinister burst out of the gate running on Friday, alas it is last week’s Champion Taken 2 on-top again for a second week with $22.7 million from 3,705 theatres. Despite a competitive weekend with several new Films opening, the Liam Neeson-starring Blockbuster remains victorious, banking $86 million in two weeks for 20th Century Fox.
Following right behind in second is Warner Bros.’ Argo, directed by Ben Affleck. The Drama which premiered at TIFF last month has gained strong word-of-mouth and earns a stellar 94% at Rotten Tomatoes and is considered widely a real Contender to win Best Picture at the Oscars.
Sinister finds itself in third spot with $18.3 million for Lionsgate Films/Alliance Films, from 2,527 theatres. Earning positive reviews, the Scott Derrickson Film starring Ethan Hawke tallies-in at 63% on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer. Made for a micro-budget of $3 million only, Sinister already is a major success based on brilliant marketing. I dare you to watch its Trailer and not get creeped-out!
Mixed Martial Arts Comedy Here Comes the Boom, starring Kevin James, opens in fifth for Sony Pictures with $12 million from 3,014 theatres, although reviews have been more mixed with a total 44% on Rotten Tomatoes. Musical-Comedy Pitch Perfect continues to do well in sixth with $8.8 million this weekend, earning $38 million overall after costing only $17 million to make.
Seven Psychopaths opens in ninth with $4.1 million for CBS Films/Alliance Films from 1,480 theatres, earning v. positive reviews (84% on Rotten Tomatoes). The quirky Dark Comedy which won the Midnight Madness People’s Choice Award at TIFF last month, stars Colin Farrell, Christopher Walken, Sam Rockwell, Abbie Cornish, Tom Waits and adorable Bonny the Shih Tzu. Although it admittedly is a bit of a challenge to sell to audiences, clearly is in the favourable books of the Arthouse Crowd and will expand in coming weeks, timed for Halloween.
Rounding out the Top Ten in North America is Atlas Shrugged Part 2 – not to be confused with Cloud Atlas – based on the Novel by Ayn Rand. The Film has yet to see a release in Canada, but pulled-in $1.9 million south of the Border.
Just when you thought one abduction in the Family was too much, it happens again in Taken 2! The Follow-up to 2010’s $226-million grossing Action-Thriller adds Famke Janssen to the mix, while the bigger draw of course would be Box Office Megastar Liam Neeson. This Sequel from 20th Century Fox opens to horrific reviews (19% on Rotten Tomatoes) but big reception from Moviegoers, earning $50 million in its debut. Stellar. Although I hate to be the one pointing it out, Neeson‘s Career since experiencing the sad misfortune of Widowhood in March 2009, has skyrocketed. Since then, his Films have earned over $1.1 billion worldwide. Suffice it to say, there is an Angel looking over him?
Hotel Transylvania continues to perform beautifully for Sony Pictures, earning $26.6 million in its second weekend, now tallying at $75.4 million. Meanwhile, Pitch Perfect expands in its second week to 2,770 theatres, impressive in third spot with $14.5 million. Reviews also are solid for the Musical-Comedy starring Rebel Wilson, Anna Kendrick and Brittany Snow.
Disney‘s Frankenweenie opens in fifth this weekend with $12 million from 3,005 theatres. This latest effort from Tim Burton, garnered v. strong reviews with 85% on the Tomatometer at Rotten Tomatoes. Some may see this as a disappointment, however the Film was made for a sensible $39 million and still has yet to open overseas.
The Master in 864 theatres continues to hang onto the Top Ten in ninth spot with $1.6 million for The Weinstein Co./eOne Films, while Finding Nemo 3D rounds out the Top Ten for Disney.
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