Weekend box office: Logan opens strong

Brad Sturdivant March 5th, 2017

It’s hard for any successful person to go out on top. For every John Elway, there are dozens of Brett Favres and it’s no different for actors or musicians. But Hugh Jackman is trying to break that mold with his beloved Wolverine character. According to Jackman, LOGAN will be the last time he puts on the claws and judging by its near $80 million opening at the weekend box office, it looks like he’ll go out on top. The film is getting rave reviews and although it won’t beat the biggest opening for a Wolverine film (X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE opened with $85 million), it’s by far and away the best received. But while we’re on the subject of Hugh Jackman and Wolverine, let me go on record by saying I don’t believe this is Jackman’s last stand. I understand he’s been saying it’s his last film, but given the structure of LOGAN, he kind of has to say that. I wouldn’t be surprised in the least to see him announce his return some time later in the year (like around the time LOGAN hits home video) in some other X-Men or Deadpool movie. There were a couple of other movies opening this weekend, including the faith based film THE SHACK, which profited from targeting the right audience to the tune of more than $16 million. Finally, we had BEFORE I FALL (click the link to read our review), which just missed out on the top five with $6 million.

Next week sees the release of KONG: SKULL ISLAND, which is getting positive reviews for being a fun monster movie. But I’m curious to see how it will do at the weekend box office since it will be competing for the same audience as LOGAN. My guess is both movies will do pretty well and hover around the $40 million mark. Kong is the only new movie to note, so the rest of the top ten should stay about the same. Note: the numbers below will be updated as they become final.

Update: The latest numbers added another $5 million to LOGAN’s total, meaning it will come really close to being the biggest of the three Wolverine films.

1. Logan $85.3m

2. Get Out $26.5m

3. The Shack $16.5m

4. The LEGO Batman Movie $11.7m

5. John Wick: Chapter 2 $4.7m

6. Before I Fall $4.1m

7. Hidden Figures $3.9m

8. The Great Wall $3.8m

9. Fifty Shades Darker $3.4m

10. La La Land $3m

(Deadline)