I don’t think any of the new movies this weekend had much of a chance to beat STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON at the weekend box office, but this showing was a little pathetic. The closest challenger was the Robert Redford and Nick Nolte starring A WALK IN THE WOODS, which managed to grab the third spot with about $8 million. I’m actually surprised it took in that much considering the timing of its release and how small its target audience is (white men over 60?). As predicted, THE TRANSPORTER: REFUELED didn’t have enough gas to even get going at the weekend box office. We could blame it on the lack of Jason Statham, but with or without him, I think this franchise is dead.
Next week is another sad showing at the weekend box office. We get M. Night Shyamalan’s THE VISIT, which we all hope will be a return to form for the director, but most of us will find out when it hits HBO Go. Then we get THE PERFECT GUY, which could surprise everyone through a very targeted marketing campaign, but I suspect it will fall flat. And finally, we have 90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN, starring Kate Bosworth and Hayden Christensen. This is another one that I would normally dismiss, but Christian targeted films have a tendency to do well. The only downside is that WAR ROOM seems to be taking that audience right now and I’m not sure 90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN has the same kind of support. Something will eventually have to dethrone STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON, but I don’t think it will happen next weekend. Note: the numbers below are for the three day holiday weekend and will be updated as they become final.
1. Straight Outta Compton $9.23m
2. War Room $8.9m
3. A Walk in the Woods $8.3m
4. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation $7.8m
5. Transporter: Refueled $7m
6. No Escape $5.1m
7. Man From U.N.C.L.E. $3.5m
8. Ant-Man $3.1m
9. Sinister 2 $3m
10. Inside Out $2.7m
(Deadline)