Audiences assemble for an outstanding Avengers: Age of Ultron opening

The early weekend box office estimates are out, and really, there’s nothing terribly surprising about them. Here’s what went down:

As expected, Avengers: Age of Ultron absolutely annihilated the competition, on the way to having a record breaking opening weekend. The film grossed an estimated $210 million, bettering the previous record holder, the first Avengers film, by about $3 million. We had predicted a little bit higher gross, but as many pundits acknowledged, its total may have been affected by the Manny-Floyd boxing match and the Kentucky Derby. Either way, the film delivered on all its promise and then some. It’s current projected worldwide total is $411 million. Not too shabby.

As for the rest of the top five, Furious 7 dropped to second place with $7.3 million. Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 was in this third place with $7.2 million, with The Age of Adaline not far behind in fourth with $6.9 million. Home closed things out in fifth place with $3.5 million.

So, to recap, here were our predictions:

1) Avengers: Age of Ultron – $225 million
2) Furious 7 – $10 million
3) Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 – $6 million
4) The Age of Adaline – $5.5 million
5) Home – $5 million

And here’s how the weekend turned out:

1) Avengers: Age of Ultron – $210 million
2) Furious 7 – $7.3 million
3) Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 – $7.2 million
4) The Age of Adaline – $6.9 million
5) Home – $3.5 million

Next weekend sees the release of Hot Pursuit. Be sure to check back on Friday to see our predictions.