This weekend's huge year-to-year increase is all thanks to Liam Neeson, as his action sequel Taken 2 opened to huge numbers, $49.5 million and averaging a terrific $13,525 from 3,661 theaters. That was over double of what the original Taken earned three and a half years ago ($24.7 million), and proved that audiences were definitely clamoring to see this. The $49.5 million opening was the third-largest October opening ever behind Paranormal Activity 3 and Jack*** 3D. With the first Taken becoming a sleeper hit and grossing nearly six times its' opening weekend, fans rushed out more early for this one, and they gave the film a good "B+" CinemaScore, which should also spawn word-of-mouth. However, matching its' predecessors' $143 million final gross may not be imminent, especially considering that critics hated this installment (20% on Rotten Tomatoes). Distributor 20th Century Fox produced the film for around $45 million and they were expecting more modest numbers, in the low-to-mid 30's millions.Despite having competition to deal with, Hotel Transylvania remained sturdy after its' huge debut last weekend. The latest animated hit eased a light 36% to $27.1 million, for an impressive $76.7 million in 10 days. True, that hold was not as strong as Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (which was down 17%, but didn't have another film to deal with), but Transylvania remains 25% ahead of that film, which had earned $60 million through its' 10th day.
Following its' strong limited opening, musical comedy Pitch Perfect expanded into nationwide release, and its' strategy to build up word-of-mouth paid off. Jumping into the third spot, it earned a strong $14.8 million, for a per-theater average of a decent $5,360 from 2,770 theaters. Distributor Universal Pictures, who is celebrating their 100th anniversary with their most financially successful business year ever, produced the project for only $17 million. Critics gave it mixed reviews, while audiences loved it, giving the film an "A" CinemaScore.
Despite facing some obstacles this weekend in the form of mixed word-of-mouth, past genre trajectories and competition, Looper miraculously showed strength this weekend. The critically-adored sci-fi pic was down only 42% from last weekend to $12.1 million, for a 10-day tally of a good $40.2 million. That was a solid hold for a sci-fi film, and with not much competition down the road, Looper could find its' way to close to $70 million by the time it leaves theaters.
But it wasn't all good news. Frankenweenie, from Disney and Tim Burton, got off to a disappointing start, earning $11.4 million and only debuting in fifth place for the weekend. The black-and-white stop-motion film averaged a mild $3,798 from 3,005 theaters. With its' creepy-looking/old-style animation plus strong competition from Hotel Transylvania, Frankenweenie was just unable to take in a huge audience. Stop-motion animation is a tough sell though, and the film's opening was in line with April's The Pirates! Band of Misfits (which would go on to earn just over $30 million domestically). Despite opening lower than expected, the movie was produced for just $39 million. With no additional competition until Halloween, plus positive critical reception and a "B+" CinemaScore, Frankenweenie could see strong legs and at least match its' price tag by the time it leaves theaters. Disney was hoping for a debut between $15 and $20 million.
Third-weekend holdovers followed. End of Watch dropped 49% to $4 million, while Trouble with the Curve was off 47% to $3.8 million and House at the End of the Street was down 47% to $3.75 million. The three movies have been close in terms of gross for three-straight weekends, and have earned $32.8 million, $29.7 million and $27.6 million in 17 days. All three are set to finish between $35 and $40 million, with the profitability winner being the top one. The Master expanded to a few more theaters, but was down 31% to $1.9 million despite staying in ninth place. Since its' limited opening four weeks ago, the buzzed-about flick has earned $12.3 million.
Finding Nemo's 3D re-release rounds out the Top 10 in its' fourth week in theaters. With more competition, the movie is now starting to swim out of theaters, plunging 60% to $1.6 million, for a $39 million gross in 24 days, the lowest gross to date for a 3D re-release.
Internationally, Taken 2 topped with a strong $37 million from 27 markets, bringing its' early worldwide total to $115 million (it had already earned another $30 million from other territories). Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted expanded into a few more markets, and came in second place for the weekend with another $23 million, for an overseas gross of over $450 million in four months of release. The animated threequel's final worldwide gross may very well exceed $700 million. Fellow animated release Hotel Transylvania came in third place this weekend with another $13.1 million from 22 markets, for an early worldwide total of $105 million. Rounding out the Top 5 were Resident Evil: Retribution ($12.3 million and passing the $200 million mark worldwide) and Ted ($12 million, worldwide tally passes $450 million).
