A very solid weekend at the box office as two new releases had strong openings, while last week’s number one still showed some legs. Here’s how the weekend turned out:
As predicted, the family friendly Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted topped the box office this weekend with $60 million, just $3 million down from what the previous entry in the franchise posted back in 2008. Clearly, the family market has been a little underserved so far this season, so Madagascar was the perfect offering. Can it hold on to the top spot for more than a week is the next question?
Ridley Scott’s Prometheus opened with a very solid $50 million. Fox was playing things close to the chest, with lowered expectations in the $30-40 million range. However, the combination of Scott, the 3D pricing and the film’s tentative connections to the Alien franchise managed to get audiences into the theatre. Worldwide, the film has already gross a combines $140 million, so I’d definitely consider Prometheus a success. We’ve got a review coming shortly, but let me just say, if you’re going to the film make sure you see it in 3D, as Scott intended it.
As for the rest of the top five, Snow White and the Hunstman dropped to third spot with $23 million, raising it’s tally in North America to just under $100 million. Men In Black 3 wound up in fourth spot with $13.5 million, while Marvel’s The Avenger closed things out in fifth place with $10 million.
So, to recap, here were our predictions:
1) Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted – $60 million
2) Prometheus – $54 million
3) Snow White and the Huntsman – $26 million
4) Men In Black 3 – $18 million
5) Marvel’s The Avengers – $13 million
And here’s how the weekend turned out:
1) Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted – $60 million
2) Prometheus – $50 million
3) Snow White and the Huntsman – $23 million
4) Men In Black 3 – $13.5 million
5) Marvel’s The Avengers – $10 million
Next weekend sees the release of Adam Sandler’s latest, That’s My Boy (check out our review here), alongside the 80’s hair rock musical Rock of Ages with Tom Cruise. Can either top the box office? Check out our predictions next Friday!
