It was all about Scarlett Johansson though, as she topped the box office with action thriller Lucy. But it did more than expected, pulling in a fantastic $43.9 million, averaging an impressive $13,835 from 3,173 locations. Many were thinking this would go above $30 million, but the R rating was taken into consideration as to how high it would go. Considering the strong marketing effort, it is not a huge surprise as to why this broke out. Johansson has boosted her starpower thanks to playing Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and there's been very little female-centric movies this summer (Maleficent was a recent example of a breakout hit among the gender). Reviews were mixed to positive, though audiences weren't very thrilled, giving it a "C+" CinemaScore. On a $40 million budget, this will finish as a huge success, though it may not hold well in the long run. Still, $100 million is pretty much guaranteed. Distributor Universal has now had five #1 openings this year.
Meanwhile, in second place is the other major opener. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson headlined a more effects-laden flick, Hercules. But the brains won out as the brawn had to settle for $29.8 million, averaging a decent $8,289 from 3,595 locations. That's not a particularly good start, considering the $100 million budget. For what it's worth, its in line with Edge of Tomorrow, which has held well and will finish above $100 million. Hercules could tap into similar word, but competition is fierce in the next few weeks from Guardians of the Galaxy, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Expendables 3. Reviews were decent, while audiences gave the film a "B+" CinemaScore. Overseas was solid, and will help save it from being a loss. Still though, it doesn't help Johnson's starpower that much, even though he has success with the Fast and Furious trilogy.
Distributor Paramount was expecting $25 million.
After topping the last couple weeks, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes felt the brunt of Lucy and Hercules, and was down 54% to $16.8 million, for a $172.5 million gross in 17 days. Tomorrow, it will likely pass the final gross of Rise, and will pass the $200 million mark soon after. Though it may be too late for it to take the top spot for the summer, overseas is already extremely promising, at $350 million worldwide and counting.
Dropping hard but better than its predecessor, The Purge: Anarchy benefited from better word-of-mouth, falling 65% to $10.5 million. That's still a heavy drop, but the 10-day tally of $51.9 million is exactly in line with the first movie. Anarchy is definitely a rare sequel to improve in audience and critical reception, and may even improve a little on the first film's $65 million final gross by the time it is finished.
On the other side of the spectrum, Planes: Fire and Rescue is failing to hold well like an animated movie should. The other sequel of the Top 5 fell 46% to $9.5 million, for a $35.3 million 10-day pick-up. Its' running $10 million behind the first Planes, and may not make up any ground if it doesn't stabilize quickly. However, this was only produced for $50 million, so, in the end, things will turn out fine for the Disney movie.
Following its disappointing opening, S** Tape fell hard, down 59% to $6.1 million, for a muted $27 million gross in 10 days. It just doesn't seem like the crassy concept is connecting with a huge audience. It may not make sense for Cameron Diaz, who scored a hit earlier this year with The Other Woman, but it makes more sense for the arguably less popular Jason Segel. This one should top out around $40 million at most.
Transformers: Age of Extinction is already at the back end of its run, falling to seventh and dropping 52% to $4.7 million, for a $236.5 million gross in one month of release. With Guardians of the Galaxy sure to steal screens next week, this tentpole is going to have to claw for $250 million. However, overseas is continuing to be phenomenal, with China's record-breaking gross outgrossing North America. The worldwide gross is approaching $1 billion ($965 million so far).
Opening in eighth place with mild results was romantic comedy And So It Goes, which pulled in $4.6 million from 1,762 locations, averaging a poor $2,635. That was actually a bit better than expected, as many thought this wouldn't pass $4 million. However, given the starpower from Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton, it is still something worth shaking your head at. Reviews were horrible, and look for this to leave quickly. Not a good way to start out for new distributor Clarius Entertainment (who flopped with their first release, Legends of Oz).Tammy started to fade, off 53% to $3.5 million. Since its opening 26 days ago, the Melissa McCarthy comedy has earned a solid, though unspectacular $78.2 million. It won't hit the $100 million mark, but it has held well in the long run considering the mediocre reception from critics and audiences.
Surprisingly making it into the Top 10 was the final film for the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman, A Most Wanted Man. The drama was able to earn $2.7 million, averaging $7,442 from 361 locations. Being an arthouse release, no one knew for sure how this was going to perform. But Hoffman's sudden death earlier this year brought it some much-needed attention. It could play well in the weeks ahead with great reviews at its side.Next week brings Marvel with Guardians of the Galaxy and the James Brown biopic Get On Up. Can both bring the summer box office back to life?
