Box Office: Rusty "Chappie" Tops Weak Chart
Sunday, March 8, 2015 at 2:07PM Hi everyone! Anne Marie here with the weekend box office. We're about a week away from the first big releases of the year, so the news is mostly underwhelming. We had a handful of new releases this weekend with mixed results. Chappie, South African director Neill Blomkamp's third scifi film with a social message, underperformed in its opening weekend, making it Blomkamp's poorest opening yet. This probably won't affect his involvement in the Alien reboot, but I'm sure there are some sweating execs out there at Sony right now. The world gave a collective shrug to Unfinished Business, the Vince Vaughan vehicle that I kept forgetting about, even though it's been aggressively marketed. Other than that, things mostly faded, with Focus and Kingsman maintaining their unsteady hold, while post-Valentine's Day 50 Shades of Grey went soft and Jupiter Ascending finally crashed.
TOP OF THE BOX OFFICE
Click on the highlighted titles for past articles on that film
01 CHAPPIE $13.3 NEW
02 FOCUS $10.2 (cum $34.6)
03 SECOND BEST MARIGOLD HOTEL $8.6 NEW
04 KINGSMAN $8.3 (cum $98)
05 SPONGEBOB MOVIE $7 (cum $149)
06 50 SHADES OF GREY $5.6 (cum $156.4)
07 MCFARLAND USA $5.3 (cum $29.4)
08 THE LAZARUS EFFECT $5.1 (cum $17.4)
09 THE DUFF $4.8 (cum $26.1)
10 UNFINISHED BUSINESS $4.8 NEW
In bolder news: American Sniper became the #1 movie of 2014 outgrossing the second Hunger Games sequel and Guardians of the Galaxy's franchise launcher.
In happier news: Second Best Marigold Hotel opened in only 1,573 screens this weekend, but managed to make it to the #3 spot on the Box Office charts with the highest per screen average: $5,467. This is wonderful news for the Judi Dench and Maggie Smith fans of the world, though considering its low $8.6 opening, we can safely conclude this was an off weekend for movie watching.
What did you watch this weekend?
Reader Comments (15)
Fun read Anne Marie. I enjoy seeing the box office numbers although there isn't really much to comment on. There was nothing new to see where I am (of interest that is) and still taking some time off from movies post Oscars. Should correct that this week.
I saw Maps of the Stars. I wouldn't say is my favorite Cronenberg and yet, I would watch again right away. I love movies about movies and this one is so sick and utterly fascinating. Julianne shines.
I hit Wild Tales, so only Tangerines (which is near impossible to find a release for) left of the past year's Foreign Film nominees. A strange, but fun movie and definitely not something you'd normally expect nominated for an Oscar.
Seriously they could not find someone else to do the "Alien" reboot?! Will the aliens represent poor undocumented immigrants ? Will Matt Damon once again play the only decent white man on Earth? Will this annoying robot creature save us from evil capitalism? Where is Rod Serling when we need him?
@Peggy Sue - 'Na na hey hey kiss him goodbye' One of the best scenes of the year (even if it's icky and horrible too). Julianne is so committed and unhinged and joyful, I was laughing and wincing at the same time.
I saw CHAPPiE. It had some strong moments but there's too many subplots/characters and the third act devolves into complete non-sense.
No movies, but I watched all 13 episodes of "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt." Hilarious!
Stranger by the Lake.
Stranger by the Lake. Finally.
Not thrilled with the ending, but otherwise? Two ______ up.
According to the same N.Blomkampo, "Capi" - this is a sci-fi action movie with comedy elements. Tape scenario cared filmmaker himself, assisted by his wife,
Chappie online free
Big Hero 6--really good first half, cliched action in the 2nd.
Rewatched Mockingjay Part 1. Why is Jennifer Lawrence so divisive in the blogosphere? Her performance as Katniss Everdeen is really stellar. What do real actors who read this blog think?
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - 6 episodes (delightful!), and 2 of House of Cards. Is it me or or HoC starting off super boring? Or maybe I'm weary of Spacey or don't love Claire Underwood's new 'do. Certainly won't binge-watch this season.
Paul -- what if you only have one? Not everyone is diphalic!
raul -- ooh, i need to watch that.
henry -- you're not alone. I generally take off way too much actual movie-watching time after the oscars. but also about this time i'm ready to go back and i started with a few old movies. now back to the multiplex.
I went on a binder featuring "The Lost World: Jurassic Park" (much worse than I remembered), "Making Love" (what a peak into a time capsule) "Stranger by the Lake" (WTF on so many levels), and "The Babadook" (not quite what I expected but still worthwhile).
Nothing in theaters but I watched Wim Wender's Alice in the City, Salesman, and Lilting from the comfort of my home.
Post-Oscars movie break!
Paul Outlaw - I LOVED the ending. So gutsy as well as gorgeously shot.