Once again, it was all American Sniper as the Oscar nominee managed to continue doing strong business. However, the war pic was down a fairly heavy 51% to $31.8 million, for a still-spectacular $248.9 million pick-up since its limited release six weeks ago. Sniper's heavy drop was likely due to many men across the nation being distracted by the Super Bowl, so it should regain its stabilizing ways next weekend (though it probably will surrender the top spot to The Spongebob Movie). Sniper, considering its American subject matter, is a surprise hit overseas also, with nearly $70 million picked up overseas early in its release. 84-year old Clint Eastwood definitely has the hit of his entire directorial career here. Sniper narrowly edged out Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert's $31.2 million opening to take the record for the biggest gross by a single movie over Super Bowl weekend.There was a tie for second place, but currently holding a $5,000 edge is the family hit Paddington. The children's book adaptation was off just 31% on a busy weekend to $8.5 million, for a solid $50.5 million in 17 days. Paddington continues to run slightly ahead of The Nut Job and with Spongebob arriving next week, is headed for a finish anywhere between $60 and $70 million.
Surprisingly underwhelming in the tie is Project Almanac, which was only able to muster $8.5 million, for a weak per-venue average of $2,938. That's less than half of Chronicle, a similar teen-themed thriller that opened to over $20 million over Super Bowl weekend three years ago. Almanac was expected to open higher than this, and despite mixed-to-negative reviews (36% on Rotten Tomatoes), was tracking fairly well heading into the weekend. But, the Super Bowl is always set to steal a lot of attention, and this weekend is no exception. Almanac was originally set for February 2014 but was delayed out of little confidence from distributor Paramount. The studio was expecting $10-$12 million here, and the budget was just $12 million, so it should still make ends meet (the CinemaScore was a "B" from audiences).
Opening in fourth place with OK results is Kevin Costner/Octavia Spencer flick Black or White. The dramedy earned $6.5 million, for a mild $3,541 per-venue average (tops among all new releases). While this is a low point for Costner (3 Days to Kill and Draft Day earned around $10 million apiece in their debuts), this was originally supposed to do worse (many analysts were thinking $4-$5 million here). In the end, despite mixed-to-negative reviews (36% on Rotten Tomatoes), this did manage an A- CinemaScore, so this should still turn out fine. Relativity produced it for just $9 million.Following its solid debut last weekend, The Boy Next Door fell a hard 59% to $6.1 million due to mixed word-of-mouth. Jennifer Lopez's latest is at $24.7 million in 10 days on its way to just over $35 million. However, this is all in the face of just a $4 million budget, which means things are already on the bright side for this thriller.
Also not holding well due to the Super Bowl, Kevin Hart's The Wedding Ringer fell 50% to $5.7 million. In comparison, Ride Along was off 43% during Super Bowl weekend last year. Ringer is at $48.1 million in 17 days and should wind up just above $60 million. On a brighter note, Ringer will pass the final gross of the About Last Night remake in the next couple days.
Oscar contender The Imitation Game fails to die in the midst of competition. The well-received biopic pulled in another $5.2 million, off a Top 10-lightest 26%. Game has earned a strong $68 million in 10 weeks of release, and may now be out of play for $100 million. Still though, it will probably remain in this list for at least until Oscar weekend.
Taken 3 was off 51% in its fourth go-round to $3.7 million, for a solid, but unspectacular $81.4 million in 24 days. That's only just over twice its opening weekend ($40 million), which speaks to the negative word-of-mouth this is receiving. Following a dismal debut last weekend, George Lucas' inspired animated effort Strange Magic held on, surprisingly decently, off 37% to $3.4 million. Still though, Disney's barely-much-of-a-marketing-effort has only translated to just $9.9 million in 10 days. And with Spongebob just around the corner, this has seen its only quiet "yay" of sorts.
Rounding out the Top 10 with abysmal results was the final new opener, thriller The Loft. The long-delayed flick pulled in just $2.9 million, for a per-venue average of a just plain bad $1,564, joining the embarrassing flop category this year already consisting of Mortdecai, Blackhat and (to a smaller extent), Strange Magic. Loft was shopped around other studios before landing with Open Road Films finally three years after filming. Look for a fast disappearance from theaters as reviews were absolutely horrific (0% on Rotten Tomatoes).
