Who would mess with this guy?
Here are the estimates:
1. Taken 2 (Fox) NEW [3,661 Runs] PG13
Friday $18.5M, Saturday $18.8M, Weekend $50.0M
2. Hotel Transylvania 3D (Sony Animation) Week 2 [3,352 Runs] PG
Friday $6.4M, Saturday $11.9M, Weekend $26.6M (-37%), Cume $76.0M
3. Pitch Perfect (Universal) Week 2 [2,770 Runs] PG13
Friday $4.8M, Saturday $6.0M, Weekend $14.5M, Cume $21.4M
4. Looper (FilmDistrict/Sony) Week 2 [2,993 Runs] R
Friday $3.5M, Saturday $5.1M, Weekend $12.0M, Cume $40.1M
5. Frankenweenie 3D (Disney) NEW [3,005 Runs] PG
Friday $3.2M, Saturday $5.0M, Weekend $12.0M
[Numbers courtesy of Deadline]
So yeah, the surprise success “Taken” wasn’t a fluke–the sequel is a smash. Granted, they promoted the hell out of this movie–good sport Liam Neeson was seen everywhere–but other movies are pushed hard and go nowhere. Most of the reviews I read said, “If you liked the first one, you’ll like this one, because it’s exactly the same.” And sometimes that’s exactly what audiences want–more of the same. They love the character and the attitude and just want to see that again. That’s fine, but especially fine when the character is played by Neeson. So I guess it’s just a matter of time before we’ll start to hear about “Taken 3.”
Returning Halloween appropriate movie “Hotel Transylvania” held up really well in its second week. New Halloween appropriate movie “Frankenweenie” disappointed in its debut. I understand that this is a heartfelt effort from Tim Burton, it’s so easy to see why this wasn’t a hit–no parents who want to retain a crumb of their sanity is going to take a young child to see a movie where the family pet dies. Yes, I know the pet is resurrected, but that will either scare the hell out of a kid, or make others say, “What about Fluffy? Wy didn’t we try to bring her back?” The rest of the kids will be too upset at the idea of their pet dying to begin to ponder the next step. I’m sure there is a group of kids who would be fine with this movie and get it, but I wouldn’t want to be the parent who guessed wrong and ended up with a crying, hysterical seven year old.
“Pitch Perfect” went wide after a small opening last weekend and performed well. It had a very good per screen average and with total earnings of 21.5 million, has already earned back its $17 million budget. Pretty good deal there.
Next week! Who wants to take on “Taken 2?” Well, first up we have “Argo,” the Ben Affleck movie which has been a smash on the festival circuit, with many feeling that it not only has good box office prospects, but a solid chance to do well during awards season. There’s also “Seven Psychopaths,” an action crime comedy from Martin McDonagh, starring Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, Christopher Walken, and numerous others. Then we have the Kevin James comedy “Here Comes the Boom,” that will be a new test of his box office power. Finally, there’s the standard horror movie, “Sinister.” Looks like a tough week to predict–especially when you have my track record…
