Despite a winter storm intense like the one in the film, Oscar contender The Revenant was able to weather the storm decently. And due to little competition, it was able to climb to the top spot in its third weekend of wide release (fifth since its limited debut). Alejandro G. Innaritu's sophomore American effort was off 50% to $16 million, for a very strong $119.2 million gross in one month. At its current rate, Revenant should find its way to a final gross north of $150 million. Its also turning into a very strong performer overseas, with over $100 million earned internationally so far. Distributor Fox probably didn't expect this to break out.Rising one spot from last weekend was the juggernaut Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which was down 46% to $14.3 million. The penultimate installment in the space saga continues to set a new record every day, with a huge $879.3 million in six weeks of release. Overseas, it continues to inch closer to the $2 billion mark, with $1.95 billion grossed so far with still a little bit of gas left in the tank.
Last week's topper, Ride Along 2, on the other hand, plummeted. The comedy sequel fell 63% to $13 million, for a decent, if unspectacular $59.1 million gross in 10 days. The storm could definitely have had a lot to do with this decline, but regardless, its a sign audiences probably rushed out last weekend. The Kevin Hart and Ice Cube sequel will probably not hit $100 million stateside, and will likely wind up in the same ballpark as Get Hard ($90 million finish).
Out of all the new releases, Robert De Niro and Zac Efron ended up on top as Dirty Grandpa came in at the high end of expectations. The R-rated comedy opened to $11.5 million, for a mild $3,958 per-venue average. Considering the snowstorm and terrible reviews (7% on Rotten Tomatoes), this is actually a pretty decent start. For De Niro, this is only two-thirds of The Intern ($17.7 million opening), but it does prove that he does have a decent fanbase. For Efron, this is an improvement on both We Are Your Friends ($2 million opening) and That Awkward Moment ($8.7 million). The film earned a "B" CinemaScore, and doesn't have much competition for the remainder of the month.
Horror flick The Boy opened just behind it with also very decent numbers. Newbie distributor STX Entertainment's third release took in $11.3 million, for an OK $4,216 per-venue average. That falls just short of The Forest's $12.7 million start (that movie is on its way to a finish around $30 million). Overall, this is a little ahead of expectations, and considering its $10 million pricetag in mind, it should overall turn into a financial success. For horror films in general, The Boy landed at the high-end of the $8-11 million average in the last few years. The film earned a "B-" CinemaScore (decent for a horror flick) and negative reviews (29% on Rotten Tomatoes).
Meanwhile, despite a trailer in front of Star Wars, fans didn't rush out to see the latest YA flick, The 5th Wave. The sci-fi book adaptation wound up in sixth place with $10.7 million, for a mediocre $3,680 per-venue average. There's a chance it was held back a bit by the storm, but in the end, expectations for this always seemed low. Interest in YA films seemed to have peaked a few years back with The Hunger Games and Twilight, as The 5th Wave wound up in line with The Giver, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones and The Host among recent similar films that failed to ignite franchises. Distributor Sony only had a $38 million pricetag on this film, and it is doing pretty good overseas, with $28 million earned so far. If it hits $100 million worldwide, it will be fine. But, a "B-" CinemaScore and negative reviews (18% on Rotten Tomatoes) may not be enough to help it have strong repeat business stateside.After its so-so start last weekend, 13 Hours had a solid second weekend hold, off 40% to $9.8 million, for a decent $33.5 million gross in 10 days. The Michael Bay war flick should continue to play well in the next few weeks on its way to a final gross above $50 million. Fellow Paramount release Daddy's Home also continued to play decently, off 45% to $5.3 million, for a $138.8 million gross since its debut one month ago.
Norm of the North held on OK, off 40% from last weekend to $4.1 million, for a still-mediocre $14.3 million gross in 10 days. The poorly-received animated effort will likely close between $20 and $25 million, as Kung Fu Panda 3 arrives for families next weekend. Rounding out the Top 10 is The Big Short, which was off 34% to $3.5 million, for a solid $56.7 million gross in 49 days. Thanks to strong Oscar buzz, the dramedy could very well approach $70 million stateside.
And that's it. Next weekend, the box office hopes to rebound thanks to Kung Fu Panda 3, which will hope to open stronger than the second film. Also opening are parody comedy Fifty Shades of Black and Disney's first release of the year, The Finest Hours. Will January end on a strong note? We shall see.
