#BOXOFFICE: “MAMMA MIA!” BRINGS IT HOME IN DEBUT

Often follow-ups fail to live-up to the success of their Predecessors but both critically and commercially, MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN does the unlikely! Debuting atop the Box Office this weekend with an impressive $37 million from 3,317 theatres for Universal Pictures, this Prequel to 2008’s Box Office smash MAMMA MIA gets 78% on the Tomatometer and also an A- CinemaScore. By contrast, the 2008 Adaptation of the smash hit Broadway Musical, earned $27.7 million in its debut and mustered only 54% from Critics on the Tomatometer.

In second is another follow-up, EQUALIZER 2 reuniting Denzel Washington and Director Antoine Fuqua, with $33.7 million for Sony Pictures, from 3,388 theatres. Critics gave it 51% on the Tomatometer and audiences loved it with an A CinemaScore. Its 2014 Predecessor debuted with $34 million back in 2014.

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3: SUMMER VACATION still is going strong in third this weekend with $22.4 million from 3,388 theatres for Sony Pictures, a total $90.1 million gross over two weeks domestically.

ANT-MAN AND THE WASP sits in fourth with $15.6 million for Disney/Marvel. Over four weeks it has earned $164 million in North America.

UNFRIENDED: DARK WEB debuts in ninth with $3.4 million for Blumhouse Productions/Universal Pictures. Its 2015 Predecessor opened with $15.8 million.

Rounding-out the Top Ten is SORRY TO BOTHER YOU with $2.7 million for Annapurna Pictures/eOne Films, a two-week total of $10.1 million.

#BOXOFFICE: “FURIOUS 7” HOLDS-ON A FOURTH WEEK AT #1

For a fourth straight week, FURIOUS 7 dominates the Box Office once again!  Showing at 3,808 theatres, the record-breaking Blockbuster earns $17 million this weekend, now for a cumulative total of $319 million domestically for Universal Pictures.

PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 exceeds expectations, number two a second week in-a-row, earning $13.7 million for Sony Pictures. In its run so far, it has made $42 million in North America.

THE AGE OF ADALINE opens in third spot with $12.4 million for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films, despite topping the Friday night Box Office. The Romance starring Blake Lively gets an A- CinemaScore from Audiences, and a lukewarm 53% from Critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

HOME continues to show amazing staying power in fourth spot with $7.9 million. In five weeks it has made $153 million domestically for 20th Century Fox.

UNFRIENDED lands in fifth in its second week out with $5.9 million for Universal Pictures.

Well-reviewed EX_MACHINA debuts in sixth for Mongrel Media/A24 Films, wit $6.2 million from 1,255 theatres. The Sci-Fi Film starring Alicia Vikander, Domhnall Gleason and Oscar Isaac gets a stunning 90% on the Tomatometer.

WOMAN IN GOLD rounds-out the Top Ten with $3.1 million for The Weinstein Co./eOne Films.  In four weeks, it has grossed $21.2 million.

#BOXOFFICE: “FURIOUS 7” TAKES THE TOP OF BOX OFFICE FOR A THIRD STRAIGHT WEEK

For a third straight week FURIOUS 7 leads the pack with a stellar $23 million from 3,964 theatres for Universal Pictures.  Thus far it in its domestic run it has grossed $293 million and worldwide it has surpassed $1 billion as of this weekend!  Monster.

PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 makes a successful debut in second spot with $23 million for Sony Pictures from 3,633 theatres across the Continent.  Its Predecessor by contrast in 2009 earned $31.8 million in its debut. Critics were harsh on the Title which many Media Outlets didn’t get a chance to review prior to release, giving it a 0% on the Tomatometer. Audiences gave it a more forgiving B- CinemaScore.

UNFRIENDED surprises many with a third place debut for Universal Pictures with $16.5 million from 2,739 theatres. The Social Media Horror with a Cast of unknown talent scared Critics to a decent 66% on the Tomatometer and a C CinemaScore.

HOME lands in fourth with $10 million this weekend for 20th Century Fox, in four weeks earning $142 million.

MONKEY KINGDOM debuts in sixth with $4.7 million for Disney, from 2,012 theatres.

INSURGENT rounds-out the Top Ten with $4.1 million for eOne Films/Lionsgate Films, now in its fifth week.

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN PASSES IN SELECT CANADIAN CITIES TO SEE “UNFRIENDED”

Universal Pictures Canada + Mr. Will want you to witness a Horror for the Social Media age, UNFRIENDED! Passes are available for Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton on Wednesday, April 15, 2015.

Official Synopsis:

California teenager Laura Barns (Heather Sossaman) commits suicide when she’s called “a slut” and a “waste of life” after one of her classmates posts an embarrassing video of her online to shame her. Her suicide is also captured on video and posted online.

A year later, an anonymous person uses Laura‘s Skype account to contact six of her friends to demand that whichever one of them posted the shaming video online come forward and admit it. When no one confesses, the anonymous person types “Tell me who posted the video…or someone dies.” When they all claim to be innocent, frightening things begin to occur.

See the exclusive Canadian Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook, tell me your City and about that one time you had to “unfriend” someone.

G’luck Willionaire$!

Universal Pictures Canada release UNFRIENDED on Friday, April 17, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)