But even in unmemorable weekends, historic accomplishments can be made. War Room, after its fantastic debut last weekend, rose to the #1 spot in its second weekend. Thanks to strong word-of-mouth and expanding to nearly 400 more locations (1,526 theaters now showing it), the Kendrick Brothers' latest increased 11% from last weekend to $12.6 million over the extended 4-day holiday ($9.5 million over the 3-day weekend). The per-venue average for the extended frame was a great $8,224. War Room is the first Christian movie to ever reach #1 on the box office charts. In 11 days since its release, the hit drama has earned a terrific $27.9 million, or 9 times its $3.5 million budget. This is definitely one of the summer's biggest surprises, and is a needed win for Sony. Competition from 90 Minutes in Heaven does arrive next weekend, but Sony may expand it further if necessary. I saw War Room last week, and am planning on posting a review for it either tomorrow or Wednesday.After topping the box office for three weeks, Straight Outta Compton was finally dethroned, although it had its strongest hold yet. The critically-adored R&B biopic was off 14% over the extended frame to $11.3 million ($8.9 million over the traditional weekend). In 25 days, Universal's latest smash has earned $150.2 million. Compton has also earned $18 million overseas thus far.
The top new release of the weekend wasn't what everyone was expecting. Dramedy A Walk in the Woods opened solidly in third place with $10.6 million over the extended Labor Day weekend ($8.3 million over the 3-day weekend, and a 4-day per-venue average of a good $5,383 from 1,960 locations). Since its opening on Wednesday, it has earned a solid $12.6 million. Woods is the first major nationwide release for distributor newbie Broad Green Pictures. Altogether, this is the kind of start you should get for a first nationwide release. While no budgeting information was released, Woods was only expected to open to around $7-8 million for its first 6 days. To exceed that on Labor Day Weekend, of all weekends, is a nice accomplishment. Reviews were mixed (48% on Rotten Tomatoes), while audience reception was similar ("B" CinemaScore). However, considering older audiences don't typically rush out, this could play well through September.There was basically a tie for fourth place over the three-day frame. But for the extended weekend, its Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation that has the edge. From last weekend, Tom Cruise's hit upticked 14% to $9.3 million ($7.2 million for the 3-day weekend), for a strong $182.5 million pick-up in 37 days. The fifth installment of the almost 20-year old franchise has maintained a Top 5 position for six weeks.
The other new release of the weekend was another spy flick, The Transporter Refueled. A reboot/prequel of sorts to a more internationally-known series of spy caper films, Refueled failed to really generate a lot of audience attention. The numbers added up to a $9 million 4-day debut (poor $2,621 per-venue average from the weekend's widest release, 3,434 locations, and $7.2 million for the traditional 3-day weekend). Expectations were fairly low for this one ($10 million from most analysts), and the previous Transporter movie opened to $13 million back in 2008. Plus, without Jason Statham in the lead, overall audience interest seemed to diminish over time. With Relativity Media going bankrupt, Refueled is the first nationwide release for EuropaCorp, and in comparison to the other new release, not a very successful one. The budget was reportedly in the $25-30 million range, and overseas markets have pulled in at least $10 million so far (official numbers not released yet). Reviews were terrible (18% on Rotten Tomatoes), and the CinemaScore was a "B-".Following a decent debut last weekend, No Escape was down a light 13% over the 4-day frame to $7 million ($5.4 million over the 3-day portion), for a decent 12-day gross of $20 million. The Owen Wilson and Pierce Brosnan action thriller won't finish as anything close to memorable. But considering The Weinstein Company acquired it for just $5 million, a $30 million finish wouldn't be anything close to terrible either.
It was a close 4-way race for seventh place. Over the extended frame, however (at least in estimates), one of the Summer's biggest hits re-expanded to return to the Top 10. Pixar's Inside Out earned an additional $4.5 million over the extended frame ($3.2 million and 10th place for the 3-day), for a huge $349.6 million gross since its debut 12 weeks ago. It has also earned nearly $750 million worldwide with Italy and China still yet to open.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E., on the other hand, remained flat with last week over the 4-day frame to $4.44 million ($3.44 million and 7th place for the 3-day). In 24 days, Guy Ritchie's TV adaptation has earned a disappointing $40.4 million with not much more to go. It is approaching $100 million worldwide, but that won't be enough to recoup a $75 million (plus a lot in marketing) budget.
Every summer, there's at least one or two breakout foreign hits. This weekend, Lionsgate released the Spanish animated flick Un Gallo con Muchos Huevos (translated as "A Rooster with many eggs"), to fantastic results. The PG-13 flick (rare for animation) earned ninth place with $4.42 million over the 4-day frame ($3.42 million 3-day), for a per-venue average of a Top 10-best $11,190 from just 395 locations. No budgeting information was released, but this is definitely a strong start.
Rounding out the Top 10 (8th place for the 3-day) in its third weekend was Sinister 2, which was down 9% from last weekend to $4.3 million ($3.43 million 3-day), for a mild $24.6 million gross in 17 days. In the face of a $10 million budget, while it won't come close to the first Sinister's $50 million domestic gross, it will still turn a small profit for Focus Features.
Below the Top 10, Minions and Ant-Man essentially tied for 11th with $3.8 million apiece over the extended frame. Universal's animation blockbuster is currently at $329.7 million in nine weeks of release, while Marvel's Phase 2 conclusion is at a solid $174.1 million in 56 days. Jurassic World and The Gift tied for 13th with $3.4 million apiece over the extended frame. Universal expanded Jurassic to 1,500 locations and is at a massive $647.5 million in 13 weeks (it also became just the 4th movie ever to pass $1 billion overseas). The Gift is at a solid $40.5 million in one month of release.
Other notables: Hitman: Agent 47 (down 33% over 4-day to $2.8 million, $20.3 million gross in 17 days). Pixels (re-expanding, $2.45 million, $73.9 million in seven weeks). Trainwreck ($1.8 million, +9%, $107.5 million in eight weeks). American Ultra ($1.6 million, -43%, $13.5 million gross in 17 days). Vacation ($1.45 million, -11%, $57 million gross in six weeks). Fantastic Four ($1.4 million, -22%, $54.7 million gross in one month). Southpaw (expanding, $1.3 million, $51.3 million gross in seven weeks). Ricki and the Flash ($1.28 million, -25%, $25.6 million gross in one month), Shaun the Sheep Movie ($1.25 million, +14%, $18 million gross in one month).
Review of the summer season coming Wednesday or Thursday. Next weekend the fall season kicks off with horror flick The Visit, The Perfect Guy, and another faith-based entry, 90 Minutes in Heaven.
