Surprisingly, it was Tom Cruise that was able to keep the top spot. Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation became just the fourth movie this summer to hold the top spot for a second-consecutive week (after Avengers: Age of Ultron, Jurassic World and Ant-Man). The spy flick was off 47% to $29.4 million, for a 10-day gross of a strong $108.7 million. For a major big-budget summer flick, that's a very solid hold. Gotta hand it to the strong reviews, word-of-mouth is getting out on this one (I'm hoping to see it soon). Next weekend does bring some more direct competition in the form of The Man from U.N.C.L.E., but despite having a strong marketing effort, isn't expected to make a big splash. But, it's still looking likely this will play well right through Labor Day. Overseas, Rogue Nation continues to impress, pulling in another $65 million for a worldwide tally of $265 million and rising. It's currently playing in 58 territories and running about 33% ahead of the pace of Ghost Protocol in majority of those territories.
Opening, surprisingly, in second place was the year's third and final superhero flick, Fantastic Four. And also surprisingly, the reboot failed to garner significant attention, pulling in an abysmal $26.2 million, and a per-venue average of an only so-so $6,558 (from 3,995 locations). Despite a strong marketing effort, Fantastic was plagued by some behind-the scenes controversy during production, as well as a lot of editing and reshooting issues. In fact, director Josh Trank slammed distributor 20th Century Fox on Twitter on Thursday saying the finished product was not what he had envisioned. In addition to that, critics were harsh to the film (just 9% positive on Rotten Tomatoes), turning away some audiences in the process. Those that did see it gave it a "C-" CinemaScore. While an opening like this should concern the superhero genre in general, but its more than likely all the controversy and negative effects from it probably were the reason behind this. But I wouldn't worry too much about Fox, despite a mixed summer, they have other superhero movies with strong potential coming, including another X-Men movie next summer. A sequel for this was dated for July 2017, but I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Fox didn't move forward with it at this point.
Fantastic Four got off to a muted start overseas as well, earning $34 million from 43 territories. It still has some major markets left to open, so I'd look for a final worldwide total of $200-250 million. The budget was $120 million, so it may not spill a lot of red ink by the time it finishes.
Opening in third place with stronger-than-expected results was the directorial debut of actor Joel Edgerton, thriller The Gift. The debut film from new distributor STX Entertainment opened to $12 million, for a per-venue average of a very solid $7,286 from just 1,648 locations. Reviews for the film were very strong (92% on Rotten Tomatoes) and the budget was just $5 million. Honestly, considering the month of August is usually slow, this is probably as good a small release can get. A "B" CinemaScore isn't great, but its solid for a horror flick (though this isn't technically much of a horror film).
After a disappointing start last week, the Vacation remake surprisingly held its ground, off just 38% to $9.1 million. In 12 days, the Ed Helms-Christina Applegate flick has earned a mild $37.3 million. Little-to-no comedy competition in the coming weeks could serve this well. Also surprisingly holding well in the face of the strongest possible competition, Ant-Man was off just 39% to $7.8 million, for a very decent $147.4 million pick-up in 24 days. Its slowly making up ground with Captain America: The First Avenger.
Having the best hold of its run so far, Minions was down 40% to $7.4 million. At the same time, it became only the ninth animated film ever to pass $300 million stateside. The Despicable Me spin-off is at $302.8 million in one month of release, and is headed for a finish in the $330-340 million vicinity. That might not be enough to catch Inside Out for tops as far as animation is this year (which is expected to finish above $340 million). Overseas, however, Illumination is the clear victor as the prequel is at $913 million worldwide with China still to open.
Opening in seventh place with OK results was Meryl Streep musical Ricki and the Flash, which managed a $7 million opening ($4,367 per-venue average from 1,603 locations). That was slightly below expectations, which had projected a $8-9 million start. But overall, considering it just had an $18 million budget, its far from horrible. Reviews were decent (59% on Rotten Tomatoes), and the CinemaScore was a B. Considering there hasn't been much for females (especially older females) in a while, this could definitely have solid legs in the coming weeks. Distributor Sony (through TriStar) may get an Oscar (or at least a Golden Globe) campaign together for Streep's (acclaimed) performance.Holding well in eighth is Trainwreck, which was off a light 34% to $6.3 million, for a very solid $91.1 million gross in 24 days. The Amy Schumer comedy will pass the century mark next weekend. Meanwhile, one of the summer's misfires, Pixels, was down another 48% to $5.4 million in its third weekend. Adam Sandler's latest disappointment is at $57.6 million in just 17 days and only $130 million worldwide with not much more to go (though it still has Japan and China left to open).
Rounding out the Top 10 in its third weekend was Southpaw, which was off 38% to $4.8 million. The Jake Gyllenhaal boxing drama has earned a decent, if unspectacular $40.7 million in 17 days. There may be an Oscar nomination in that actor's future.
Meanwhile, just below the Top 10, Aardman's latest, Shaun the Sheep Movie, opened to a disappointing $4 million ($1,724 per-venue average from 2,320 locations), for a $5.6 million gross since Wednesday. The stop-motion animated flick did earn a "B+" CinemaScore, and near universal critical acclaim (99% on Rotten Tomatoes). Plus, it has earned an additional $60 million overseas.
And that's it for this weekend. Next weekend brings the buzzy Straight Outta Compton and action spy flick The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Could they give the overall box office a late-summer jolt? We will see.
