Mark Wahlberg, clearly thinking, "Yeah, I did the Oscar thing last year..."
Here are the estimates (weekend breakouts courtesy of Deadline):
1. Contraband (Universal) NEW [2,863 Theaters]
3-Day Weekend $24.1M, 4-Day Holiday $28.5M
2. Beauty And The Beast 3D (Disney) NEW [2,625 Theaters]
3-Day Weekend $18.5M, 4-Day Holiday $24.7M
3. Mission: Impossible 4 (Paramount) Week 5 [3,346 Theaters]
3-Day Weekend $11.5M, 4-Day Holiday $14M, Est Cume $189.2M
4. Joyful Noise (Warner Bros) NEW [2,863 Theaters]
3-Day Weekend $11.3M, 4-Day Holiday $13.8M
5. Sherlock Holmes 2 (Warner Bros) Week 5 [3,155 Theater]
3-Day Weekend $8.4M, 4-Day Holiday $10.6M
I’m not so surprised that “Contraband” won the weekend–mindless actioner with an affable star in mid-January? That’s an automatic. I am surprised, though, that it got an A- Cinemascore. I guess expectations were met (“Does Mark Wahlberg run around and kick some ass?” “Yes.” “Done!”). The film is studio Working Title’s biggest opener ever and is doing way better than predicted. Congratulations, Mr. Wahlberg.
I did think that “Beauty and the Beast 3D” might have been the #1 film, considering how well “The Lion King” did in its 3D re-release last fall. Disney seems to be happy with it, though–the animated groundbreaker is likely going to become the highest grossing January animated release ever. Yes, I know that seems like kind of a micro-accomplishment, but it’s a record nonetheless.
The week’s other new opener, “Joyful Noise,” did well for what it is. Oh, and last week’s big winner, “The Devil Inside?” That had a 77% drop in audience. That F Cinemascore does mean something, it appears.
Next week! “Contraband” is about to get some competition in the action genre department, as we get the Steven Soderbergh mixed martial arts pic “Haywire,” historical action drama “Red Tails,” and supernatural action aged franchise “Underworld: Awakening.” Predictions you will not make any money on: I say “Contraband” gets another week with “Haywire” a very, very close second.
