Weekend box office: Maze Runner: Scorch Trials and Black Mass do well

Brad Sturdivant September 20th, 2015

As far as YA adaptations go, the Maze Runner series is on the upper tier of the genre. That’s not necessarily a compliment, but when compared to the Divergent series and others, I found Maze Runner to be more interesting. But there was concern that a $30 million opening at the weekend box office wasn’t enough to greenlight a sequel, but Fox made one any way and the result is another $30 million opening for the second film in the franchise. It managed to beat out Johnny Depp in BLACK MASS (click the link to read our review). BLACK MASS actually beat expectations, thanks in large part to Depp’s presence, but it wasn’t enough to take the top spot. Critical reaction to the film has been mixed to negative, so it’s unlikely Depp will get much award recognition, so a nice box office showing is a positive for the film.

Next week features a couple of titles that might jumpstart the box office. First we have HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 with Adam Sandler and all of his friends. The first was surprisingly not bad, but I don’t have high hopes for the sequel. Then we get the Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway dramedy THE INTERN, which looks a little like THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA but not as appealing. But maybe the most interesting release is 99 HOMES, which is only getting a very limited showing, but it might be the first Oscar contender of the season. As for the winner of next weekend’s box office, my money is on HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2, which should enjoy the buzz of the original as well as the complete lack of competition from any other kids movie. Note: the numbers below will be updated as they become final.

1. Maze Runner: Scorch Trials $31.2m

2. Black Mass $24.8m

3. The Visit $11.2m

4. The Perfect Guy $9.1m

5. War Room $6.5m

6. Everest $5.8m

7. A Walk in the Woods $2.8m

8. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation $2.5m

9. Straight Outta Compton $2m

10. Captive $1.6m

(Deadline)