Weekend box office: Ghostbusters can’t beat The Secret life of Pets
This weekend was supposed to prove once and for all that internet trolls have no power and speak for the very small minority, or that audiences really are sexist and terrible. But the funny thing about GHOSTBUSTERS (click the link to read our review) pulling in $45 million at the weekend box office is that it doesn’t prove anything. It’s right, smack dab in the middle between being successful and being a failure. Naysayers will point to the film’s $144 million budget as a sign the movie didn’t do well while the supporters will point out that this is the largest opening for Melissa McCarthy and a clear sign audiences want more female-led movies. But I think what this really proves is that if you make a good movie, it doesn’t matter what sex or race your lead actors are; audiences will turn out. The problem, of course, is that the general consensus on GHOSTBUSTERS is that it’s just an okay movie, which means just an okay box office turnout.
Next week should belong to STAR TREK BEYOND. I was initially nervous about the third Trek film in the rebooted series, but early word has been extremely positive, which is a good sign. The first two movies managed to appeal to Trekkies and casual fans alike, so I think the third film should find the same audience and find success at the box office. The other new movie next week is ICE AGE COLLISION COURSE and frankly, I forgot this series even existed. Kids are always the wild card as far as audiences go, but I don’t think Ice Age will capture enough of the audience given it’s competing with Pets and Dory. I’m betting they all cancel each other out, which should give Trek the top spot. Note: the numbers below will be updated as they become final.
1. The Secret Life of Pets $50.6m
2. Ghostbusters $45m
3. Finding Dory $11.2m
4. The Legend of Tarzan $11m
5. Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates $7.1m
6. The Purge: Election Day $5.9m
7. Central Intelligence $5.2m
8. The Infiltrator $4.6m
9. Independence Day: Resurgence $3.8m
10. The BFG $3.7m
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