Overall box office will still have a hard time living up to last year.....
Still though, it seems like audiences are flocking to smaller-budgeted fare. The Purge drastically outwitted expectations with a huge estimated $16.8 million on Friday. That's exactly in line with The Devil Inside, which had earned $36 million for its' debut weekend on its' way to $60 million domestic. However, that movie was hated by critics and audiences, whereas reception for Purge was better (53% on Rotten Tomatoes, no CinemaScore is available as of now). Considering horror pics succeed more in the Fall and Winter, this is certainly a very impressive start, though hardly surprising if the strong buzz was considered more. A weekend of $37 million looks likely here, giving a red-hot Universal their 5th #1 opener this year, following Mama, Identity Thief, Oblivion and Fast and Furious 6.
As for The Internship, it tallied a modest estimated $6.5 million in second place on Friday. Negative critical reception and strong competition in the coming weeks certainly created less interest for the Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson comedy. However, with the weekend expected to hit $19 million (it could even hit $20 million), that's actually higher than analysts' $15 million weekend predictions, so maybe it was under-projected a bit. Still, nonetheless, its' not a very good start by any means.
It's likely going to be a close race for second between Internship, Now You See Me and Fast and Furious 6. Fast was off 43% to an estimated $6.1 million, in what should be a $20 million take, a solid 42% hold from last week. Now You See Me was off 40% to an estimated $6 million, and should wind up with around $20 million as well for the weekend.
Rounding out the Top 5 with a super hold was Epic. The animated trouper was off just 17% to an estimated $3.5 million, and will likely score $13.5 million for the weekend.
Weekend estimates to be posted tomorrow...
