As expected, Guardians of the Galaxy topped the box office, but it did way more than expected. The latest superhero flick earned a huge $94 million, for a per-venue average of a huge $23,039 from 4,080 locations (the widest release ever for the month of August). That's nearly on par with Captain America: The Winter Soldier ($95 million) from April, and ranks third behind that film and Transformers: Age of Extinction for opening weekends this year. Considering expectations had this at around $70 million, this huge debut is a testament to the huge popularity of Marvel's movies as well as how effective Disney's marketing campaign worked for the film (though its quite mature for Disney). Reviews are among the best for the year (92% on Rotten Tomatoes), and audiences gave it an "A" CinemaScore. Competition is going to be intense with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles aiming for the same audience next week, and The Giver and The Expendables 3 will take away teenagers the following week. At this point, $200 million seems guaranteed, but right now, considering how front-loaded superhero movies can be, I'm not sure it will beat Captain America's $260 million final gross.Overseas, the film earned $66 million on its debut from 43 markets. That is off from recent Marvel entries (Captain America and Thor sequels), but that's not completely unexpected. If it can have strong playability, look for at least $550 million worldwide by the time its done.
Following its strong debut, Lucy had the floor fall from under her, off 58% to $18.3 million, for a strong 10-day pick-up of $79.6 million. That may not sound like much in the face of other action flicks, but it is already double its' $40 million budget. Lucy should stabilize a bit from here on and is sure to pass $100 million. Maybe Scarlett Johannson will get a Black Widow solo film after all.
Debuting to mixed results in third place was James Brown biopic Get On Up. The musical dramedy pulled in $14 million, averaging a mild $5,685 from 2,468 locations. That's half of what Chadwick Boseman had in his previous movie 42 ($29 million), and is also well off from The Butler ($24 million) and The Help ($26 million). Considering how well-known James Brown is among older audiences, and that there's been very little competition for that demographic (as well as African-American audiences), this number is somewhat disappointing. However, given the solid reviews (77% on Rotten Tomatoes) and audience reception ("A" CinemaScore), plus no competition for its audience, look for this to hold on strong through Labor Day. However, its opening is low enough that it won't come close to $100 million. Boseman's acclaimed performance is already generating Oscar buzz though.
Hercules took an even bigger hit from Guardians, falling 64% to $10.7 million, for a 10-day pick-up of a meh $52.3 million. With more competition coming, the Dwayne Johnson pic probably will only make it to around $70 million by the time its done, making it a fairly pricey misfire. One saving grace, it only cost $100 million and its getting some strong overseas interest so far ($120 million worldwide with much more to come so far).
Guardians took out a lot of steam from many other films in the marketplace, and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes was no exception. The sequel was off 48% to $8.7 million, for a strong $189.3 million in 24 days. Within the next week and a half, the $200 million barrier should fall. The action flick is also doing great overseas, with around $450 million earned so far.
Thanks to very little competition for kids, Planes: Fire and Rescue was off a light 33% to $6.4 million, for a $47.6 million gross in 17 days. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will take away some audience next week, so look for a finish in the $60-$65 million range. That's only about two-thirds of the first Planes, but still a decent number considering the budget was only $50 million.
The Purge: Anarchy had a decent hold in its third weekend, off 47% to $5.5 million, for a strong $63 million gross in 17 days. The horror sequel is having better holding power than its predecessor, and is about to pass that movie's $64.5 million final gross (it should finish with around $70 million). That's a pretty good result for a sequel to a film that wasn't well-received to begin with.
Sustaining itself a bit better from last time, S** Tape was down 41% to $3.6 million, for a $33.9 million pick-up in 17 days. It may barely eclipse its $40 million budget, but its still a disappointing number. Now do you think there have been way too many R-rated comedies this summer? (just like animated/family films were last summer)
Following a dismal debut, And So it Goes retained a lot of its audience, but didn't quite make up a lot of ground. The Diane Keaton-Michael Douglas comedy was off 28% to $3.3 million, for a 10-day pick-up of $10.5 million. It may finish above $15 million, but that isn't saying too much.
Rounding out the Top 10 again was the final film for Phillip Seymour-Huffman, A Most Wanted Man. The solidly-received flick expanded to over 700 locations, and picked up $3.3 million ($20,000 less than And So it Goes). In 10 days, the dramedy has earned $7.1 million, and could wind up above $20 million should it continue to expand.
Next weekend brings four movies hoping to take down Guardians. Perhaps Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles can do better than its so-so expectations and take it down? Also debuting is Twister-wannabe Into the Storm, which could also do better than expected. Steven Spielberg produces book adaptation The Hundred Foot-Journey, while dancers reunite in Step Up: All In.
