For just the third time this summer, a movie topped the box office for two-straight weekends. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, despite arguably mixed word-of-mouth, held fairly decently for an action flick. The cartoon adaptation was off 57% to $28.4 million, for a 10-day tally of $117.6 million. While not as strong as some of this summer's other big movies, this is still way more than anyone expected. With Labor Day Weekend a couple frames away, Turtles could stabilize in the next few weeks, and could finish close to $200 million, though $175 million seems more like a safe bet. Regardless, this is a major win for Paramount, and a sequel has already been set for June 2016. Overseas, the movie is just getting started with $70 million picked up so far.Marvel came in second for a second-straight weekend with Guardians of the Galaxy. Their latest film held very well in its third weekend, off just 41% to $24.7 million, for a 17-day tally of a huge $222.3 million. At this pace, Guardians is now guaranteed to take the top spot for the year domestically, and could eventually make it close to Man of Steel's $295 million final gross if it holds on stronger from here on out.
Surprisingly, it was a different movie topping the newcomers. And that was crime comedy Lets Be Cops. Despite burning off some demand from a Wednesday debut, the film opened to $17.7 million, for a per-venue average of a decent $5,721. Since Wednesday, it has picked up a solid $26.1 million. That was in line with what distributor Fox was expecting, and despite negative reviews, this seemed to deliver what the typical audience for these types of films was expecting. Cops opened a little higher with similar comedies such as The Watch and End of Watch. Audience reception was generally mixed ("B" CinemaScore) so look for this to fade quickly. But the budget was only $17 million on this, so it will still wind up a success.
The biggest surprise of the weekend was the under-performance of The Expendables 3. The action threequel was expected to have franchise fatigue, but no one saw the opening gross lose nearly half of its predecessor's momentum. The star-packed flick opened to $16.2 million, averaging $5,029 per-venue. A couple of weeks ago, a leaked version of the movie was online and was downloaded over 2 million times, which could have been a valid reason for this decline. But regardless, it seems like making a third movie may not have been the best idea. Audiences did respond positively, giving it an "A-" CinemaScore in the midst of generally negative critical reception, but its just about impossible for this to come close to the second movie's $85 million final gross. Overseas, where the sequel benefited immensely, the threequel should thrive as well. But, I would not expect a fourth movie.
Debuting around as expected in fifth place was book adaptation The Giver. The latest teenager bait opened disappointingly, with $12.8 million, and a mild per-venue average of $4,249. Considering the popularity of Lois Lowry's novel, one might would have expected more out of this. But in the end, the debut was only slightly higher than recent disappointments The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones and The Host. It also is disappointing considering the starpower is much more than that other film as well. Plus, competition from If I Stay next weekend won't help matters. On the upside, the budget was only $25 million, and word-of-mouth seems positive (B+ CinemaScore). It'll all depend on how it does in the weeks ahead before anyone can consider it a flop.
Following a mediocre debut, Into the Storm didn't hold itself together, though its 56% drop was still on the lighter end for effects-driven fare this summer. Earning another $7.7 million, the film has earned $31.3 million so far, and should wind up with around $45 million by the time its done. Its just getting started overseas, and has picked up $50 million worldwide so far.
The Hundred-Foot Journey, on the other hand, was unfazed by the competition, and was off a Top 10-lightest 35% to $7.1 million. Since its debut 10 days ago, the Steven Spielberg-produced drama has earned a light $23.6 million. With no competition, plus Labor Day Weekend coming up, look for this to continue stabilizing in the weeks ahead.
Despite some added competition, Lucy stabilized a bit, off 44% to $5.3 million. The Scarlett Johannson success story has earned a solid $107.5 million in 24 days, and may be knocked out by Sin City: A Dame to Kill For next week. Still though, with $170 million worldwide against just a $40 million price tag, this is one of the summer's most interesting (and profitable) box office runs.
Step Up All In was unable to save face, and fell 58% to $2.7 million in a distant ninth. Since its debut last week, the fifth (and seemingly final) installment of the dance franchise has earned a dismal $11.8 million, and will struggle to make it past $15 million. Overseas will save the day ($50 million worldwide so far), but its not something to write home about.
Breaking into the Top 10 after expanding to nearly 800 locations, Richard Linklater's potential Oscar contender Boyhood earned a decent $2.2 million, averaging a mediocre $2,789 per-venue. Since its limited release six weeks ago, the dramedy has earned a decent $13.8 million. Don't be surprised if this ends up passing $20 million.
Well, that's it. Next weekend, Chloe Grace Moretz returns in If I Stay, which based on buzz/tracking, could end up breaking out. Also debuting are long-awaited sequel Sin City: A Dame to Kill For and sports drama When The Game Stands Tall. How will all of these fare?
