Just a few days ago, I said I honestly thought that despite some pretty dismal reviews, the action-drama Need for Speed, starring Aaron Paul, would probably wind up competing for the number one spot at the weekend box office. Wow, I was way off! Not only did Need for Speed not win the domestic box office race, it didn’t even take second place. Yikes.
I was just wrong all over the place. Given the so-so offerings in theaters right now, I suppose things are a bit less clear-cut in terms of picking out the sure-fire winners – but still…I hate missing the mark. Here’s how things shook out:
Two holdover films from last weekend were the top films this weekend: Mr. Peabody & Sherman was number one (buoyed, no doubt, by a strong word of mouth and families eagerly seeking out anything kid-friendly amongst the newer releases). Mr. Peabody took in just over $21 million. The second spot belonged to last week’s number one, 300: Rise of An Empire. The 300 sequel took in just over $19 million.
That brings us to the newest film in the top five: Need for Speed. I honestly expected this film to do much better, given that it’s based on the multi-billion dollar EA video game. Need for Speed only managed to take in $17.8 million at the weekend box office, but one thing is noteworthy: According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film grossed an additional $45.6 million internationally. As long as these kinds of films keep performing this well overseas, we as movie-goers will have to deal with them, even if they aren't up to par.
As for the rest of the top five, Liam Neeson’s action-drama Non-Stop was fourth, with $10.6 million, and Tyler Perry’s latest, Tyler Perry’s The Single Moms Club, absolutely bombed with $8.3 million. I’m tired of even mentioning Perry’s movies anymore, because they are simply THAT bad. Audiences clearly agree. I’ve been known to crack up watching Madea on screen…but I just can’t get on board with most of Perry’s schlocky films (Temptation was one of the worst films I’ve ever seen).
Did anyone make it to theaters to see anything this past weekend? We stayed away, opting instead to watch the Veronica Mars movie on demand at home, and I think we made the right decision. Expect a review of that one soon.
Photo courtesy of Empire Online
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