“Finding Dory” Crushes “Independence Day: Resurgence”

Sequelitis continues to plague movie theatres this weekend, at least in the case of one big new release. Here’s what went down at the box office:

Finding Dory had an absolutely huge second weekend, bringing in an estimated $77 million, dropping just 43% in its second weekend. Having already made $290 million, it’s looking likely the this Disney-Pixar film is going to be this summer’s big hit film.

Debuting in second place is a sequel with another story. Independence Day: Resurgence, the sequel twenty-years in the making, could only muster up $45 million. With poor reviews and a lack of Will Smith, it appears that audience interest simply wasn’t there. The film will be lucky if it makes $150 in North America, and its far more likely it will just gross a little over $100 million. Overseas results are going to be imperative if this $165 million budgeted film will get a third film.

As for the rest of the top five, Central Intelligence was in third place with $18.2 million, down just 49% week to week, an excellent hold. Debuting in fourth place with $17 million is the Blake Lively shark movie The Shallows, which had strong reviews in its favour. Closing things out in fifth place was the new Matthew McConaughey film Free State of Jones, which bombed with $7.2 million.

So, to recap, here were our predictions:

1) Finding Dory – $71 million
2) Independence Day: Resurgence – $57 million
3) Central Intelligence – $18 million
4) The Shallows – $14 million
5) The Conjuring 2 – $8 million

And here’s how the weekend is estimated to turn out:

1) Finding Dory – $77 million
2) Independence Day: Resurgence – $45 million
3) Central Intelligence – $18.2 million
4) The Shallows – $17 million
5) Free State of Jones – $7.2 million

Next week sees the release of The BFG, The Legend of Tarzan and The Purge 3. Be sure to check back on Friday to see our predictions!