Its' going to be close on if this weekend can topple this same weekend last year.
Deadpool is shattering all box office expectations, as comic book fans rushed out on Friday. The R-rated superhero flick earned a massive $47.5 million on Friday, including $12.3 million from Thursday night previews. That ranks in the Top 25 biggest opening days ever, and its only February! President's Day Weekend is difficult to predict sometimes, as oftentimes big openings like this come down significantly. Valentine's Day Sunday will be more of a date-night movie day, while on President's Day Monday families come out in droves for family flicks.
At this point, I think Deadpool will drop to around $40 million on Saturday, before falling harder to around $26-27 million on Sunday, and then another $15-16 million on Monday. That adds up to a massive $115 million Friday-Sunday opening, and $130 million through Monday. That will easily be enough to smash Fifty Shades of Grey's $93 million four-day record on this same weekend last year. Deadpool should easily remain on top next weekend and could even wind up on top through the end of February also (as long as it doesn't crash down after that). Reviews for the film are great (84% on Rotten Tomatoes), while the CinemaScore is an "A".
Opening in second place on Friday was How to Be Single, which came in line with expectations with $5.2 million on Friday. With Valentine's Day on Sunday, this film will likely be boosted by that fact alone. I'd expect the number to stay the same on Saturday, before rising Sunday and then collapsing Monday. Look for $17.5 million over the 3-day and $20 million through Monday. Reviews were mixed (49% on Rotten Tomatoes), while the CinemaScore was a "B".
Zoolander 2, despite very good buzz, is turning into the stinker of the weekend (not that the first one was really a big success anyway back in 2001). The sequel earned $4.2 million on Friday in third place, in what will likely be a 3-day weekend of $13.5 million and a 4-day frame of $16.5 million. On a budget of $50 million and directed by star Ben Stiller, this is a major misfire for all involved. Reviews were bad (24% on Rotten Tomatoes), while the CinemaScore was a "C+".
After weathering Super Bowl Weekend, family audiences seem to be catching up with Po and the Furious Five as Kung Fu Panda 3 was off only 25% from last Friday to $3.9 million. Family movies usually gross 6 to 7 times their Friday gross over President's Day Weekend. With that in mind, Panda should find its way to a $19 million 3-day weekend, and $25 million through Monday, though it could do more if Valentine's Day brings out more families.
Rounding out the Top 5 is Hail, Ceasar! (which I am heading out to see today), which fell 66% from last Friday to $1.5 million. Look for 3-day and 4-day frames of $5 million and $6.5 million, respectively.
Weekend report coming Tuesday when all numbers are counted.
