After five films playing the iconic character. Audiences proved they still love Hugh Jackman (X-Men, Les Miserables) as The Wolverine with its debut at number 1 this week, bringing in $55 million dollars.
With a 120 million budget, the newest adventure of Logan going to Japan brought in the same amount opening weekend as X-Men: First Class (finished with $146 million) and the original 2000 film (finished with 157 million).
So this film is on the fast track on making its money back and being on the verge of another big draw for the X-Men franchise.
Last week’s #1 film, The Conjuring slipped to second this week with 22.1 million. The film only lost half of its audience from the previous week, a huge victory for a horror film in the summer since most tend to lose 60-75% of their audiences the following week.
The Minions and Despicable Me 2 continues to stay strong bringing in 16 million this week. The film has passed “Man of Steel” as the second highest grossing domestic film this year and only stands 100 million behind the leader, Iron Man 3.
Turbo, Red 2, and RIPD continue their decent into the kingdom of flophood (currently ruled by John Carter and The Lone Ranger) as they pull in 13.3, 9.4 and 5.8 million respectively.
Both these films shock me as flops due to they’ve got everything right thematically. Guess it goes to show that audiences are growing more intelligent and see past the typical crap kids movie, a Men in Black rip off, or same stars doing the same bit. (Then again how is Grown Ups 2 making so much money?)
Speaking of typical crap, Grown Ups 2 brought in another 11.5 million this week and I died a little more inside. Surely enough, this will almost solidify the despairing thoughts of potentially a “Grown Ups 3” will be hitting theaters in the next few years.
Pacific Rim continues to tread its wheel’s bringing in another 7.5 million. The sci-fi epic looks to peak out at 100 million. However, with it’s 190 million dollar budget it’ll certainly be considered a flop in America even though it has topped 140 million overseas.
The Heat stays alive in the top 10, coming in this week at #8. The Bullock/McCarthy buddy comedy surpassed Identity Thief this week becoming the highest grossing R rated comedy of 2013, and excluding children’s films, is the highest grossing comedy of the year. (Although Grown Ups 2 is closing in on it).
Rounding out the top 10 is the debuting Fruitvale Station which finally went wide with its release. The film about a 22 year old Bay Area resident, who crosses paths with friends, enemies, family, and strangers on the last day of 2008 (imdb.com) initially debut earlier this month in limited release. However, it’s push to wide release has nearly quadrupled it’s gross, raking in only 1 million in two weeks of release (in only 7 theaters in week one, and 34 in week 2).
Next week debuts consist of The Smurfs 2, starring Neil Patrick Harris, Hank Azaria, and featuring the voices of Christina Ricci, Katy Perry, and George Lopez. As well as 2 Guns, starring Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg. Will the lovable blue Smurfs be able to take down the tag team of Washington and Wahlberg? We’ll find out next week.
# Movie Title Weekend $$$ Total Gross (As of July 26-28)
1- The Wolverine 55 M 55 M
2- The Conjuring 22.1 M 83.8 M
3- Despicable Me 2 16 M 306.4 M
4- Turbo 13.3 M 55.7 M
5- Grown Ups 2 11.5 M 101.6 M
6- Red 2 9.4 M 35 M
7- Pacific Rim 7.5 M 84 M
8- The Heat 6.8 M 141.2 M
9- RIPD 5.8 M 24.3 M
10- Fruitvale Station 4.6 M 6.3 M