#BOXOFFICE: “G.I. JOE: RETALIATION” FIRES IN EASTER WEEKEND DEBUT

Boys rule the Box Office this Easter Weekend with G.I. Joe: Retaliation debuting big with a stellar $40.8 million across North America, from 3,719 theatres.  Critics panned the $135-million Blockbuster from Paramount Pictures, but Audiences reacted well with an A- CinemaScore.   This latest Installment in the Franchise stars Bruce Willis, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Channing Tatum and Adrianne Palicki.

In second this weekend is last week’s Champ The Croods from 20th Century Fox with $26.6 million in its second week of release.  The Animated Feature takes advantage of the lack of Family-oriented Flicks out this weekend. To-date it has grossed an impressive $88.8 million in North America.

Tyler Perry’s Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor debuts in third this weekend from 2,047 theatres – yet another successful release from the Actor/Writer/Director/Producer and overall Magnate.  Earning $22.5 million, the Drama-Thriller stars Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Lance Gross, Kim Kardashian, Brandy Norwood and Vanessa Williams; it does not star Perry in male nor female form.  Critics didn’t love the Film, earning 17% at Rotten Tomatoes.

Olympus Has Fallen slips to fourth in its second week of release with $14.1 million after a solid debut last week in second spot, just ahead of former Champ Oz the Great and Powerful from Disney with $11.7 million in fifth.

The Host unfortunately didn’t translate to big numbers despite it being an Adaptation of beloved Twilight Author Stephanie Meyer‘s Novel of the same name. Reviews were outright vicious, tallying-in at 12% on Rotten Tomatoes. It debuts in sixth with $11 million for Open Road Films/eOne Films.

Well-reviewed Spring Breakers by Director/Writer Harmony Korine lands in ninth with its expansion to 1,379 theatres with $2.5 million.  To date it has earned $10 million and despite strong limited release numbers, this didn’t translate as strongly with its expansion.

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone in its third week of release, rounds out the Top Ten with $1.2 million.