As expected, it was all Deadpool once again, as the latest superhero blockbuster had a better hold this weekend than last. Ryan Reynolds' passion project was down 44% to $31.5 million, for an absolutely fantastic $285.6 million gross in 17 days, The R-rated superhero flick is already (unadjusted for inflation) the third-biggest R-rated movie ever in the U.S., and stands a chance at challenging American Sniper ($350 million) for second place. Overseas, it continues to dominate with the worldwide tally already passing $600 million. Next weekend, the Merc with a Mouth will surrender the top spot to Disney's wildly-anticipated Zootopia, but it doesn't have any real direct competition until Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice arrives three weeks later.
Meanwhile, managing a second place opening but with expectedly disappointing numbers was pricey sci-fi visual effects extravaganza Gods of Egypt. The Alex Proyas film opened to $14 million, for a mild $4,491 per-venue average that was obviously helped out by 3D admissions. Overall, this was on the high-end of expectations, but against a $140 million production budget, its still disastrous by all means. Overseas opened in 68 markets and that also disappointed, with just $25 million. Distributor Lionsgate, who took in a whole mess of controversy for the film allegedly whitewashing its cast, limited its overall financial exposure ($10 million reportedly), but with lots spent in marketing, there's still going to be red ink for everyone involved. Even lead actor Gerard Butler promoted his next movie London Has Fallen much more than Gods. Reviews for the film were terrible as expected (12% on Rotten Tomatoes), while the CinemaScore was a "B-". I would say expect this to fade fairly quickly from theaters.In its final weekend before Zootopia comes to town, Kung Fu Panda 3 continued to prove to be a real trouper. The animated threequel (which I will see later this week finally) was down only 28% in its fifth weekend to $9 million, for a decent, if unspectacular $128.5 million gross in one month of release. Po's third adventure was recently granted a month-long release extension in China, where it just became the most successful animated movie ever in that country with $145 million. Worldwide, it has earned $315 million from just a handful of markets, with much much more to go when it expands worldwide in March.
Also holding on was last weekend's top new release, Risen. The Biblical epic was off 41% to $7 million, for a decent $22.7 million gross in 10 days. That's a decent hold, but not a great one by any means. It is a better hold than Son of God (which was off 60% in its second weekend), but God's Not Dead was off only 5% in its second weekend and War Room was off only 17%. Risen will have one more weekend before The Young Messiah opens.
Meanwhile, opening at #5 at the low end of expectations was Eddie the Eagle. The true-life sports drama opened to $6.3 million, for a small $3,085 per-venue average. This isn't a particularly good start, as it even falls short of last weekend's Race ($7.3 million). Considering the strong marketing the film received, one might would have thought it would have done a little bit better. But the Taron Edgerton flick really had a hard time connecting with audiences. For co-star Hugh Jackman, this is one of the weakest starts of his career also. Distributor Fox produced this for $23 million, and may find better success in the U.K. when it opens there in late-March. The CinemaScore was an "A" and reviews were good (73% on Rotten Tomatoes).
Meanwhile, faring worse in sixth place was crime flick Triple 9. The Open Road Films production earned just $6.1 million, for a dismal $2,768 per-venue average. That pales in comparison to expectations, which were pegging the film to reach at least $10 million. Buzz was fairly decent, and reviews weren't terrible either (54% on Rotten Tomatoes). The CinemaScore was a "C+". I'm not sure how this will play in the coming weeks, but the budget was only $20 million. Any loss Open Road has on this film will be minimal.How to Be Single recovered after dropping hard last week, off 37% to $5.2 million, for a decent $39.6 million pick-up in 17 days. The romantic comedy has also earned $35 million overseas. The Witch had a strong hold (for a horror flick) in its second weekend, off 43% to $5 million, for a decent $16.6 million pick-up in 10 days (against a $10 million budget). Race was down 42% to $4.3 million, and is at a soft $13.9 million gross in 10 days. The Jesse Owens biopic will likely close at just over $20 million stateside.
Rounding out the Top 10 in its 10th weekend since limited release is Oscar contender The Revenant, which was off just a scant 2% to $3.8 million. Nominated for Best Picture and winning 3 Oscars (Best Actor for Leonardo DiCaprio, Best Director for Alejandro G. Inarritu, and Best Cinematography for Emmanuel Lubezki), Revenant is at a strong $170.5 million gross since its debut, and passed $400 million worldwide this week.
Bowing out of the Top 10 after 10 weeks, Star Wars: The Force Awakens slotted 11th and was off just 22% to $3 million. The biggest movie of all-time domestically (not adjusted for inflation) has picked up $926 million in 77 days, and almost $2.05 billion worldwide. The Force Awakens also will finish just outside the Top 10 for most tickets sold ever for a movie.
That's it for this week. Next weekend Disney is set to dominate with their animated feature Zootopia. Also opening are action sequel London Has Fallen, and romantic comedy Whisky Tango Foxtrot. The Spring movie season should be off to a strong start. Stay tuned.
