As expected, it was Liam Neeson who ended up in first place as Taken 3 outperformed expectations. The final installment of the heist franchise pulled in a strong $40.4 million, for a per-venue average of a very solid $11,241. While that falls short of Taken 2's massive $49 million debut, that movie opened in the more less-competitive month of October (back in 2012), and that movie didn't get great reception from critics or audiences. Because of lukewarm reception, expectations for this were much more limited (in the $30 million range). Chalk it up to Neeson's fanbase and the strong marketing for allowing 3 to hold up better than the usual sequel does. But, whether or not it plays well in the coming weeks is highly questionable. Reviews were atrocious (12% on Rotten Tomatoes), while the CinemaScore was a decent "B+". Still though, with the extended Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend set to benefit all films next weekend, this should still close above $100 million. Distributor 20th Century Fox produced it for $48 million.
Meanwhile, also as expected, Oscar contender Selma took a distant second place, but it didn't have as much support as many were hoping. Winner of one Golden Globe last night (and nominated for a few others), Selma pulled in $11.2 million, for a per-venue average of a mild $5,140. Many were thinking this would have a chance at reaching $20 million, considering how The Butler and 42 played in recent years. But, never underestimate an awards contender. Selma is likely to pick up a Best Picture nomination on Thursday and should make up ground as more mainstream audiences become aware of it. Selma is definitely a movie that I will keep my eye on in the next several weeks, and could very well stay on this list through awards season. Distributor Paramount had just a $20 million price tag on this.With almost everyone back in school and work, all holiday holdovers fell to earth. Taking the lead by default, Into the Woods was off 48% to $9.75 million. Disney's Broadway adaptation became the 30th movie of 2014 to pass the $100 million mark, and is at a solid $105.3 million in 18 days. Sadly, awards season prospects aren't very strong on this (it didn't win any Globes last night, and is on the outside looking in for a Best Picture nomination Thursday, but should still grab a few technical nods and a Supporting Actress nod for Meryl Streep). Woods is running a little behind Les Miserables through the same point and should wind up its run around $130 million.
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, also due for at least a couple technical nominations during the Oscar nominations on Thursday, fell to fourth place after topping the box office for three weeks in a row. Armies fell 57% to $9.4 million, for a $236.5 million pick-up in 26 days. The final Middle Earth adventure is now only $5 million ahead of Desolation of Smaug through the same point and, dependent on how it plays through January, may or may not be able to close past that movie's $258 million final gross.
Angelina Jolie's Unbroken was down 54% to $8.4 million, but became 2014's 31st $100 million movie, as the survival pic has trekked down $101.6 million in 18 days. Unbroken unfortunately is, like Into the Woods, on the outside looking in for the Best Picture race (thanks to some boosted traction from fellow war movie American Sniper), but its likely to still pull in a nomination or two in the Sound Editing/Mixing categories, with a decent chance at a Cinematography nod. Should it not lose a lot of audience to Sniper next weekend, Unbroken could hit $120 million by the time it closes.
A likely Best Picture nominee on Thursday, The Imitation Game had the strongest hold, off just a scant 2% to $7.6 million, and moving up a spot to sixth place. Game is at a strong $40.8 million in 49 days and stands a strong chance at several other nominations, including a Best Actor nod for Benedict Cumberbatch. Be on the lookout for this to do big business next weekend.
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb fell 54% to $6.7 million, and is set to be the 32nd and final movie of 2014 to pass the century mark in the next couple days. The final installment of the family franchise is at $99.5 million in 24 days and will probably earn the same amount over next weekend's extended frame. The Annie remake was off 56% to $4.9 million, for a solid $79.4 million in the same amount of time. $100 million is now out of play, but the extended frame (despite competition from Paddington) should boost it to around or slightly above $90 million. Considering this movie was leaked online in the infamous Sony hack, Annie has done great business in the midst of all the controversy.
After a solid start last week, The Woman in Black: Angel of Death plummeted 68% to ninth place and $4.8 million. The horror sequel is at $22.3 million in 10 days and will likely be forgotten soon (probably won't hit $30 million despite a small budget). The Hunger Games - Mockingjay: Part I rounded out the Top 10 in its eighth weekend, off 50% to $3.75 million. The first part of the final book adaptation of the book trilogy is at a strong $329.5 million in 56 days and is now set to pass Guardians of the Galaxy next weekend to take the top spot for 2014 domestically. A nice consolation considering it will finish about $85 million below Catching Fire.
