As what many expected, it was the Bellas of Pitch Perfect 2 that ended up dethroning the Earth's mightiest heroes. But, the a-capella sequel did more than anyone was expecting it to do, pulling in a truly massive $70.3 million, for a per-venue average of a fantastic $20,242 from 3,473 locations. For distributor Universal, this edges out (should estimates hold) The Lorax for their sixth-biggest debut ever (behind 3 Fast and Furious movies, Fifty Shades of Grey, Despicable Me 2 and The Lost World: Jurassic Park), and it ranks as the second-biggest debut for a PG-13 comedy (behind Austin Powers: Goldmember). Finally, its the biggest debut yet for a musical. Even with huge buzz, this is truly a surprise of a debut. The first Pitch Perfect was only a limited release, before expanding and finishing as a word-of-mouth sensation with $65 million (5 times its opening weekend), a number its sequel's opening weekend surpassed. The film's audience continued to grow thanks to success on DVD and on the film's soundtrack. I guess you can say the audience craze has caught up with this now-certain franchise in a huge way.Pitch Perfect 2 wasn't quite as strong overseas, but was still solid nonetheless with $27 million picked up. Adding in $11 million from a few markets last weekend, and the sequel is at $108 million already. The budget was just $29 million. Do not be surprised if this earns at least 10 times that number worldwide. Universal is having a fantastic year so far thanks to this, Furious 7 and Fifty Shades of Grey, and is expected to continue to grow with Ted 2 and Minions also debuting this summer.
As for domestic prospects, this could play well. Reviews were decent (68% on Rotten Tomatoes), while the CinemaScore was a "A-". However, there's also a chance this is the kind of movie that many rushed out to see, causing some heavy drops. This is one we'll have to keep our eyes on.
But even with America apparently obsessed with a-cappella, there was another movie taking some attention this weekend. Mad Max: Fury Road debuted to a solid $44.4 million in second place, for a per-venue average of a very good $12,004 from 3,702 locations. That was in line to a little above expectations, which pegged a debut in the $40 million vicinity. Mad Max does have a $150 million pricetag though, but also has surprising critical acclaim (98% on Rotten Tomatoes) on its side. The CinemaScore was a "B+". For an R-rated actioner, Fury Road came close to Prometheus' $51 million debut from 2012.
Overseas, the George Miller remake got off to a strong start, earning $65 million, for a $110 million worldwide launch. Will the reviews cause it to have some strong playability (a'la Edge of Tomorrow)? I'm not sure. But, it should at least break even. And even so, the supposedly fantastic reception will keep this on people's brains for some time.
After topping for two-straight weeks, Avengers: Age of Ultron fell back to the third spot, and lost more ground to its predecessor. The blockbuster sequel fell 50% to $38.8 million, for a still-huge $372 million pick-up in 17 days, passing Furious 7 to become 2015's biggest-grossing film domestically to date (its' predecessor had $457 million through its 17th day). Ultron may hold better next weekend as it is an extended weekend (though fellow Disney-released movie Tomorrowland may steal some families). But, it now seems likely it won't hit $500 million stateside (when the first movie ended up ahead of $600 million stateside).
Thanks to a massive $156 million six-day start in China (the second-biggest ever behind Furious 7), Age of Ultron surpassed the $1 billion mark worldwide, becoming only the 24th movie in history to pass that barrier (this was expected, however), and the 8th Disney-released movie to do so. Ultron is at $1.14 billion worldwide so far, and already ranks as the eighth-biggest movie in history. Dependent on how well it plays in China and Japan, it could still end up ahead of its predecessor's $1.52 billion worldwide final gross.
Following a dismal debut last weekend, things only got worse for Hot Pursuit. The Reese Witherspoon-Sofia Vergara comedy fell 59% to $5.8 million, for a flat-out bad $23.5 million gross in 10 days. Even with Memorial Day likely to boost it somewhat, the badly-reviewed flick will have to claw its way to $35 million.
The rest of the Top 10 was once again, Spring leftovers. Tying for the fifth spot essentially were Paul Blart - Mall Cop 2 and Furious 7, which both clocked in estimates of $3.6 million apiece, but both held very well. The Kevin James comedy sequel was down 32%, and has earned a very good $62.9 million in one month of release. The blockbuster entry of the high-octane franchise was off just 33% and is at a phenomenal $343.8 million domestically, and should end up above $350 million.
Furious 7 is now at $1.49 billion worldwide, and is just $28 million from passing The Avengers's $1.52 billion worldwide gross. It is starting to run out of gas overseas (it closed in China and only picked up $7 million overseas this weekend). Another $10-15 million from North America, and whether or not it passes that movie, its going to be very close.
Just below that tie is The Age of Adaline, which was down 45% to $3.2 million, for a relatively solid $37.1 million pick-up in 24 days. The period romance could end up above $45 million. Thanks to no competition for kids, DreamWorks Animation's Home was off just 12% in its eighth weekend to $2.7 million, for a very solid $165.6 million in 56 days. Home passed the final domestic gross of Kung Fu Panda 2 and is set to close in line with How to Train Your Dragon 2 ($177 million).
Despite strong reviews, Ex Machina fell 40% to $2.1 million, for a decent, if unspectacular $19.6 million pick-up since its limited release six weeks ago. Reaching the Top 10 in its third weekend of limited release, drama Far from the Maddening Crowd expanded to 289 locations and earned $1.3 million (mild $4,498 per-venue average). In 17 days, Crowd is at $2.6 million.
Next weekend brings Disney's buzzed-about Tomorrowland. Will the original concept (a rarity for summer movies nowadays) break out or flat out bomb over the Memorial Day weekend? (one of my favorite weekends to track box office!) :).
