Despite some negatives, the lone new release this weekend did have a strong start. Action comedy/TV series adaptation 21 Jump Street topped the box office with $36.3 million, for a per-theater average of a robust $11,632 from around 4,300 screens at 3,121 theaters. It claimed the record for the largest-grossing opening for a non-sequel R-rated comedy outside of summer, and continued a strong track record for star Channing Tatum (since The Vow opened to $41 million). Produced for $42 million, the film came in above distributor Columbia Pictures expectations, who had projected an opening in the high-20's to around $30 million. The film recieved largely positive critical reception (87% on Rotten Tomatoes), but mixed reception from audiences ("B" CinemaScore). With the highly-anticipated The Hunger Games arriving next Friday, the film will have to be on guard to make sure it reaches the $100 million mark.
After two weekends on top, Dr. Suess' The Lorax slid to second place, and once again, held decently with a 41% ease to $22.8 million, for a solid $158.4 million gross in 17 days. Still averaging above $6,000 per theater, the latest animated megahit should have no problem crossing the $200 million barrier, and could even finish above How To Train Your Dragon's $217.6 million gross if it holds well against The Hunger Games next weekend and gets an Easter boost.
The news wasn't anywhere near as good for John Carter. Disney's expensive sci-fi flick fell 55% in its' second weekend to $13.6 million, for a dismal $53.2 million in 10 days. While the hold was a little stronger than recent sci-fi films, its' still not finding its' footing. Look for a finish in the $80 million range domestically, but it will be saved overseas as it has already picked up over $125 million internationally.
With Jump Street affecting older teenagers, Project X cascaded 64% to $4 million despite being in a distant fourth place. The found-footage party flick has earned a fine $48.2 million in 17 days. Act of Valor followed closely with a 47% drop to an estimated $3.7 million, for a solid $62.5 million in 24 days. Surprisingly, Eddie Murphy's comedy A Thousand Words kept the sixth spot, and held well with a 41% ease to $3.6 million, but has picked up a paltry $12 million in 10 days and will likely close between $15 and $20 million.
Keeping the seventh spot in its' sixth weekend is Safe House, which eased 43% to $2.7 million. The Denzel Washington hit has earned $120.2 million in 38 days. With kids out on Spring Break, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island jumped up two spots, and held well with a 34% ease to $2.4 million, for a $95 million gross in the same amount of time. The adventure sequel is now guaranteed to finish above $100 million domestic and has passed the $300 million mark worldwide.
Despite being in just 382 theaters, Will Ferrell's limited release Casa De Mi Padre slotted in ninth place for the weekend with $2.3 million, for a per-theater average of a good $5,988. That was much higher than what analysts were expecting, and the budget was just $6 million by distributor Lionsgate.
This Means War rounded out the Top 10, easing 43% to $2.1 million, for a $50.5 million gross in one month of release.
Overall box office was down 4% from the same time last year when action thriller Limitless topped the box office with $18.9 million. The Bradley Cooper flick would see good legs, finishing with close to $80 million. Rango held onto the second spot with a 33% ease to $15.1 million, while Battle: Los Angeles plunged 59% to third place with $14.5 million. Matthew McCaughnahey drama The Lincoln Lawyer debuted in fourth with a respectable $13.2 million, and would also see good legs, finishing with $55 million. Sci-fi comedy Paul rounded out the Top 5 with a disappointing $13 million start, on its' way to to just north of $35 million domestic.
Here is the final Top 10:
# Movie Actual Numbers Studio Estimates My Predictions
1 21 Jump Street $36,302,612 $35,000,000 $30,000,000
2 Dr. Suess' The Lorax $22,764,760 $22,800,000 $26,000,000
3 John Carter $13,569,795 $13,515,000 $16,000,000
4 Project X $4,044,159 $4,000,000 $5,500,000
5 Act of Valor $3,733,697 $3,678,000 $4,000,000
6 A Thousand Words $3,632,932 $3,750,000 $3,500,000
7 Safe House $2,716,795 $2,800,000 $3,000,000
8 Journey 2: The Mysterious Island $2,388,320 $2,460,000 $2,500,000
9 Casa De Mi Padre $2,287,239 $2,200,000 ----
10 This Means War $2,141,760 $2,125,000 ----
Here is the final Top 10:
# Movie Actual Numbers Studio Estimates My Predictions
1 21 Jump Street $36,302,612 $35,000,000 $30,000,000
2 Dr. Suess' The Lorax $22,764,760 $22,800,000 $26,000,000
3 John Carter $13,569,795 $13,515,000 $16,000,000
4 Project X $4,044,159 $4,000,000 $5,500,000
5 Act of Valor $3,733,697 $3,678,000 $4,000,000
6 A Thousand Words $3,632,932 $3,750,000 $3,500,000
7 Safe House $2,716,795 $2,800,000 $3,000,000
8 Journey 2: The Mysterious Island $2,388,320 $2,460,000 $2,500,000
9 Casa De Mi Padre $2,287,239 $2,200,000 ----
10 This Means War $2,141,760 $2,125,000 ----
