As expected, it was Tom Hanks and Clint Eastwood that opened at #1, with their true story thriller Sully. Based on the "Miracle on the Hudson" from 2009, the Warner Bros. flick pulled in a very strong $35.5 million, for a very good $10,072 per-venue average (from 3,525 locations). That was well ahead of expectations, which had pegged the film to pull in $20-25 million. But overall, this is a resurgence for Hanks, as this opening was over twice the amount of Bridge of Spies. For director Eastwood, this was his second-biggest start behind only the juggernaut American Sniper ($90 million). Sully earned a lot of buzz based on its true story basis, and also earned strong reviews (84% on Rotten Tomatoes) and Oscar buzz. With an "A" CinemaScore, there is some competition coming up for adults, but Sully looks to still be a potent player through at least mid-October. Distributor Warner Bros. produced the film for $60 million.Opening in second place, as expected, was the sultry thriller When the Bough Breaks. The Sony production matched most expectations, pulling in $15 million, for a solid $6,679 per-venue average. While that falls short of similar efforts such as last year's The Perfect Guy ($26 million) as well as No Good Deed ($23 million), it's still a pretty solid debut considering the time of year and the film's $10 million budget. Reviews were horrid (a rare "0%" on Rotten Tomatoes), and the CinemaScore was a "B", so this will probably fade fast.
After topping two weeks, third place went to another Sony title, the breakout horror hit Don't Breathe. The critically-adored film held on pretty good for its genre (and coming off a holiday weekend), off 48% to $8.2 million, for a strong $66.8 million pick-up in 17 days, on its way to a finish around or just above $80 million. Suicide Squad also held well in its sixth weekend, off 43% to $5.7 million, for a $307.4 million pick-up in 42 days. The supervillain caper is about to pass $700 million worldwide, and that's without a release in China, thank you very much.
Opening in fifth place with, as expected, weak results, was Lionsgate's attempt to enter the animation market with The Wild Life. The 3D flick pulled in $3.4 million, for a paltry $1,364 per-venue average. That is in line with Legends of Oz ($3.7 million) among smaller, independent animated releases. With an uninteresting marketing effort (buzz was nonexistent) and no celebrities in the voice cast, this was doomed from the start. Reviews weren't good (15% on Rotten Tomatoes) and the CinemaScore was a "B-". This will have one more week with families before Warner Bros.' Storks arrives.
Two more films aimed at families followed. Kubo and the Two Strings (which I am hoping to finally catch later this week) was down 49% to $3.2 million, as Laika's critically-acclaimed flick has earned $40.8 million in 24 days. If it can hold on well next weekend, it has a chance at matching The Boxtrolls $50 million final gross. Pete's Dragon was off 54% in its fifth weekend to $2.94 million, for a somewhat disappointing $70 million pick-up in one month. Disney's remake also isn't doing great overseas so far (though it has yet to open in major markets such as Australia and Japan).
Bad Moms had the best hold of the list once again, off just 41% to $2.8 million. Spending a seventh-straight week on the chart, the sleeper success is at $107.5 million in 49 days. H--- or High Water held the ninth spot, and was off a light 41% also to $2.6 million. Jeff Bridges' critically-acclaimed thriller is at $19.8 million in one month of release. Rounding out the Top 10, also in its fifth weekend was the R-rated animated comedy Sausage Party, which plunged 56% to $2.3 million. The Seth Rogen/Sony production is at a strong $93.2 million in one month of release.
And that's about it. Next weekend more titles enter the fray as the long-awaited historical drama Snowden opens against Renee Zellweger's return to the big screen in Bridget Jones Baby and horror sequel(ish) Blair Witch. All three should turn in decent performances, but Sully is pretty likely to remain at #1. Again, we shall see.
