Debuting in the top spot, PG-13 horror flick Mama debuted to a startlingly strong $28.4 million over the three-day portion of the four-day MLK weekend. That was much higher than what most analysts were expecting, as most projected a debut of around $20 million for the four-day period. Playing in around 2,900 screens at 2,647 theaters, the films' per-venue average was a big $10,730. The four-day take was $32.1 million. Jessica Chastain now stars in the top two films in the marketplace, and distributor Universal has topped a second-straight MLK weekend (they distributed last year's Contraband, which earned $28 million in four days). The budget was just a small $15 million, and audiences gave it a "B-" CinemaScore (above-average for a horror flick). Critical reception was mixed.
After its' strong nationwide expansion, Zero Dark Thirty showed good sustainability this weekend. Chastain's other film was off 35% to $15.8 million and $18.6 million over four days, for a $56.9 million gross since its' limited debut one month ago. With still five weeks to go until the Oscar winners are announced, Zero has a strong chance to close above $100 million in ths U.S.
After nine weeks playing in under 1,000 theaters (three weeks in the Top 10), Oscar Best Picture contender The Silver Linings Playbook expanded into wide release and wound up in third place with $10.8 million over the three-day weekend and $12.7 million over the four-day period. Playing in 2,523 theaters, the film averaged an okay $4,262 per venue. Through 71 days of release, The Weinstein Company's first of two Best Picture nominees has picked up a solid $56.7 million. If it can hold on well through when the Oscars are given out, the film could very well reach $100 million stateside. Critical reception was strong, while a CinemaScore grade has not yet been made available.
Continuing to disappoint, Gangster Squad was down 49% to $8.6 million over the three-day and $10.1 million over the extended holiday frame. In 11 days, the ensemble flick has picked up $33.2 million.
It wasn't all good news, however. Despite starring last year's MLK weekend champ Mark Wahlberg, Broken City just proved that there was one too many R-rated pics in the marketplace. The action flick earned just $8.3 million in fifth place, and earned just $9.5 million over the extended period.. Playing in 2,620 locations, the films' per-theater venue was a barely-noticeable $3,162. That was much less than what analysts were expecting, in which they were anticipating a four-day debut above $15 million. Co-starring Russell Crowe, the crime thriller earned mediocre reviews and a "B" CinemaScore, so matching its' $35 million production budget probably won't happen.
Following its' bigger-than-expected start last week, horror comedy A Haunted House actually held on better than most comparable films through the same point, down 55% to $8.2 million over the three-day weekend and $9.5 million over the extended frame. Through 11 days, it has earned a very solid $31.1 million.. Marlon Wyan's latest should find its' way close to $45 million by the time it leaves theaters, or 18 times its' $2.5 million budget.
Oscar Best Picture contenders Django Unchained and Les Miserables followed. After taking home a Best Director award at the Golden Globes, Quentin Tarantino's controversial western was off a light 30% to $7.8 million. The Best Picture (Comedy or Musical) winner at the Golden Globes held extremely well, off a Top 10-best 22% to $7.5 million. For the four-day holiday weekend, the flicks earned $9.2 million and $9 million, respectively. And in 27 days, the movies have earned strong tallies of $139.3 million and $131.6 million.
Meanwhile, Arnold Schwarzenegger's return to lead roles was unwelcomed. The Last Stand debuted poorly in 9th place (10th over the four-day) with just $6.3 million over the three-day weekend. Playing at 2,913 locations, the per-theater average was a paltry $2,162. Audiences gave it a "B" CinemaScore, while critics gave the film good reviews. But the glut of R-rated films in theaters really hurt it. The four-day take was just $7.2 million, and analysts were expecting the film to open in the low-to-mid teens for the four-day frame. Distributor Lionsgate produced the flick for around $30 million, and the final gross will be lucky to reach half of that amount.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey spends its' final weekend in the Top 10 with a strong hold, off just 33% to $6.2 million over the three-day and $7.6 million over the extended frame, for a strong $288.6 million gross in 37 days. The final gross should now easily pass $300 million domestically.
In milestone news, Life of Pi became the 29th film of 2012 to pass $100 million stateside on Monday. The movie has been benefiting from awards season and re-expanded this weekend in order to pass that barrier.
Internationally, Django Unchained opened in 54 markets and topped the foreign box office with a huge $48.1 million. Life of Pi came in second with another $20.7 million from 66 markets, bringing its' worldwide total to near $500 million and counting. Les Miserables expanded to 29 territories and earned another $19.4 million, and is approaching $300 million worldwide. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey fell to fourth place, and earned another $13.2 million from 63 markets, and has earned over $900 million worldwide with a China opening next month guaranteed to push it past $1 billion. Jack Reacher rounded out the Top 5 with another $11.8 million from 58 countries, for an overseas tally of $100 million ($175 million worldwide).
In milestone news, Life of Pi became the 29th film of 2012 to pass $100 million stateside on Monday. The movie has been benefiting from awards season and re-expanded this weekend in order to pass that barrier.
Internationally, Django Unchained opened in 54 markets and topped the foreign box office with a huge $48.1 million. Life of Pi came in second with another $20.7 million from 66 markets, bringing its' worldwide total to near $500 million and counting. Les Miserables expanded to 29 territories and earned another $19.4 million, and is approaching $300 million worldwide. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey fell to fourth place, and earned another $13.2 million from 63 markets, and has earned over $900 million worldwide with a China opening next month guaranteed to push it past $1 billion. Jack Reacher rounded out the Top 5 with another $11.8 million from 58 countries, for an overseas tally of $100 million ($175 million worldwide).
