It's rare these days for a threequel to really succeed (especially if its not a major, nine-figure franchise), as well as take the #1 spot. Well, Lionsgate proved spectators wrong this weekend as audiences came out for Angel Has Fallen, which pulled in a rock solid $21.3 million (solid $6,467 per-venue average). In comparison, London Has Fallen pulled in just a tad more ($21.6 million) in its debut three years ago. It's also important to note that both predecessors debuted in second place on their opening weekends, which makes this an even rarer case. For Gerard Butler, its' his biggest opening since that movie, and its also higher than last year's Den of Thieves ($15 million). Its' a major win not just for Butler and the franchise, but for Lionsgate as well, as consistent franchises have been in short supply for them as of late. On a $40 million budget, this should be able to turn a decent profit if overseas returns are strong (London earned $140 million internationally in 2016). So far, its earned around $10 million in a slow roll-out. Audiences gave the film an "A-" CinemaScore.Following its solid debut last week, Good Boys retreated 45% to $11.8 million. In 10 days, the R-rated tween comedy has earned $42.1 million stateside. Performing better than expected, the well-reviewed (but unnecessary) film looks to continue playing well over Labor Day weekend.
It was a close race between third and sixth place, which means actuals could reveal a different order tomorrow.
In estimates, the Kendrick Brothers' latest took third place this weekend with their latest, Overcomer. And yes, it was unable to match War Room's $11.3 million debut from 2015, but it still pulled in very good numbers of its own. $8.2 million, for a decent $4,759 per-venue average. This actually ranks third for the filmmakers, as Courageous earned $9.1 million back in 2011. For faith-based films, this isn't quite as strong as Breakthrough from earlier this year ($11 million) or last year's I Can Only Imagine ($17 million). But, considering the budget was a light $5 million and there was little spent on marketing, this is still a success for Sony and everyone involved. Like War Room, this one was positioned nicely on the weekend before Labor Day to try and get more people in theaters next weekend. And, with a rare "A+" CinemaScore, it may just have the holding power of that movie as well. We shall see.Disney right now is in fourth place with the blockbuster remake of The Lion King. One of the biggest hits of the summer was off just 34% in its sixth frame to $8.15 million, for a huge $510.6 million pick-up in 42 days. It's also earned $997 million overseas, for a $1.5 billion worldwide pick-up in six weeks. It currently ranks as the ninth-biggest movie ever worldwide, and looks likely to finish around $1.6 billion.
Hobbs and Shaw was right behind it with a 43% dip to $8.14 million, for a more subdued $147.7 million pick-up in 24 days. As hard as this is to believe, but that four-week gross matches Furious 7's opening weekend. However, the spin-off got its' anticipated China opening this weekend, where it earned a big $102 million in the country alone. Its' now just shy of $600 million worldwide, where it looks to wind up at $750 million maximum depending on its holding power there.
Horror flick Ready or Not managed to take sixth place this weekend in spite of a Wednesday opening slowing it down a bit. With rave reviews, the film managed to outperform my forecasts (and many others) with a decent $7.6 million (not good $2,644 per-venue average), for a $10.6 million pick-up in five days. Disney picked this one up as Fox Searchlight was set to release it, but they didn't give it a full-blown marketing effort despite strong reception from critics and audiences (a "B+" CinemaScore is fantastic for the genre). Maybe it will see some solid holding power in the coming weeks? Analysts predicted anywhere between upper single digits to $15 million over its first five days, and it was budgeted for a light $6 million.
Following an admittedly disappointing start last week, The Angry Birds Movie 2 didn't save face. Instead, it was off 38% to $6.4 million, for a not very good $27.1 million pick-up in 13 days. Even with Labor Day Weekend to its benefit, its' going to be lucky to reach half of the original's $107 million domestic gross. Meanwhile, Scary Stories in the Dark fared better, off 40% in its third frame to $6 million. The PG-13 horror fest has picked up a good $50.5 million in 17 days, and looks likely to close above $60 million. That would be a profitable closing venture for CBS Films.
Dora and the Lost City of Gold was off 39% in weekend 3 to $5.2 million, for a mild $43.1 million in 17 days. While Labor Day Weekend will help it out, the cartoon adaptation is probably still not doing as well as what distributor Paramount was hoping for. Rounding out the Top 10 is Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, as the rare original trouper continues to be a sleeper hit for Sony and Quentin Tarantino. Off 35% to $5 million, the period flick has earned a very good $123.2 million in one month of release, and has earned just about the same amount overseas so far.
That's about it. Next weekend is Labor Day, which brings only one wide release in indie horror Don't Let Go. Its' set to be a slow end to summer, as audiences brace for a specific clown the following week. Look for a brief predictions post on Wednesday, along with a review of Overcomer. Hope all has a great week! :)
