Overall, this weekend turned into the highest-grossing ever, at an astounding $273.9 million. The previous record-holder was Christmas weekend in 2009, which registered $270.1 million led by the one-two-three punch of Avatar, Sherlock Holmes and Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel.
Altogether, overall business was up a strong 43% from this same weekend last year when 22 Jump Street defeated How To Train Your Dragon 2 ($49.5 million) for #1 with $57.5 million.
The park opened and the crowds came. And overpowering all expectations was something analysts weren't thinking for this. Jurassic World conquered many records this weekend as the massively-anticipated reboot pulled in the biggest haul ever for a single weekend with an absolutely incredible $208.8 million. The per-venue average of $48,855 (from 4,274 locations) edges out The Avengers $47,698 (so long estimates hold) to have the highest per-theater weekend average ever, and the weekend total (in actual numbers) edged out that movie's $207.4 million gross. That being said, Jurassic World was also able to shockingly out-do Age of Ultron ($191 million) from last month as well as Furious 7 ($143.7 million). In addition to that, it had the third-biggest Friday gross on record ($82 million), the highest Saturday gross on record ($69.6 million, estimated to just edge out Avengers), highest Sunday gross ($57.2 million), and the biggest 2-day gross ever ($152 million).This number is nothing short of phenomenal. Jurassic World was marketed aggressively, and tracking went through-the-roof this week, though most tracking sources suggested a debut around $125 million. And in the end, no one clearly ever saw this coming. But, the huge fanbase of Jurassic Park (which was the first movie to open over $50 million back in 1993) clearly came out, in addition to action-hungry fans. Chris Pratt (Guardians of the Galaxy) just became an A-list actor, having nailed three-straight openings above $60 million.
Internationally, Jurassic World's roar clearly was heard around the world, as the overseas tally added an unbelievable $316 million, for a global launch of a record $525 million. This is the first time a movie opened to over $500 million worldwide in a single weekend, and edges out Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part II's $483 million worldwide launch from 2011 for that record. It also edged out that movie's $314 million international total for the biggest international launch ever.
Distributor Universal's banner year (of sorts) continues to get better and better, following this, Furious 7, Fifty Shades of Grey and Pitch Perfect 2. In fact, they passed $1 billion domestically faster than any other studio who reached it first in a single year (also $3 billion worldwide the fastest). And with Ted 2 and Minions around the corner, the studio could be in for even more piles of cash.
2015 continues to be a huge year as Jurassic World looks set to join Age of Ultron and Furious 7 in the $1 billion club (and most likely the Top 10 all-time list). Domestically, it earned an "A" CinemaScore despite just "decent" reviews (70% on Rotten Tomatoes). But it may drop hard in the coming weeks. Next weekend, Pixar's 14-movie streak of opening at #1 could be broken, even if Inside Out overperforms its expected $65 million debut (though obviously, weirder things have happened).
Even so, Jurassic World is essentially guaranteed of at least $425 million domestically (and that's if it becomes incredibly front-loaded). But, I wouldn't be surprised if it finished above $500 million stateside. Worldwide, I just can't answer how high it will go right now. We just, honestly, witnessed movie history! Jurassic World took up 78% of this weekend's total gross, as most holdovers fell off considerably in the face of the massive launch.
But not everyone. Melissa McCarthy's Spy had a respectable hold after a somewhat underwhelming debut last weekend. The R-rated comedy was off 46% to $15.6 million, for a decent, if unspectacular $56.6 million 10-day pick-up. No competition next weekend should warrant a stronger hold next go around. Right now, a finish above $100 million cannot be ruled out.
San Andreas was hit harder, obviously, by the roaring competition, and fell 58% to $10.8 million in its third weekend. The disaster flick is still a major hit, having pulled in $119.1 million in 17 days, and $380 million worldwide so far. Look for a better hold next weekend with Father's Day Weekend next Sunday.
Insidious - Chapter 3 plunged 68% to $7.3 million following a very solid debut last weekend. The horror threequel is at $37.4 million in 10 days, and is on pace to finish around $50 million. Up a spot from last week and holding strong due to double-features with fellow Universal pic Jurassic World, Pitch Perfect 2 was down just 16% to $6.4 million. The a-capella sequel is at a huge $171.1 million in one month of release, and may finish just above $190 million.
Entourage clearly had the core fanbase show up last weekend, as the TV adaptation fell 59% to $4.2 million, for a disappointing $25.7 million gross in 12 days, on its way to a finish around $35 million. Mad Max: Fury Road, even in the face of Jurassic World, held on very well. The critically-adored George Miller flick fell under 50% for a third-straight frame, off 48% to $4.1 million. Mad Max is at a solid $138.5 million as it marches to $150 million, with a worldwide gross near $330 million.
Also surprisingly having a good hold in the face of the dinosaurs, Avengers: Age of Ultron was off 42% to $3.7 million, for a fabulous $444.8 million pick-up in seven weeks of release. It ended up ahead of fellow Disney flick Tomorrowland, which continued to disappoint, falling another 52% to $3.5 million, for just $83.7 million in 24 days. Look for both to hold better next week with Father's Day on Sunday.
Jumping into the Top 10 after a solid limited launch was Brian Wilson (of the Beach Boys) biopic Love and Mercy, which was off 21% from last weekend (it was in 11th place that weekend) to $1.7 million. In 10 days, the well-received drama has earned a respectable $4.7 million.
Next weekend brings Pixar's Inside Out and dramedy Dope. Will they add onto this weekend's record-breaking might? We shall see.
