The Hollywood Outsider – Film and Television Podcast | Reviews An award-winning film and television podcast for the fan in all of us
Monsters and Brad Pitt dominated the Top 2 slots at the Box Office this weekend, and defeated Superman in the process. First up, Monsters University silenced all of the ‘Pixar shouldn’t do sequels!’ critics this weekend, when it took #1 with an estimated $82 million for the company’s all-time #2 opening (2nd only to Toy Story 3’s $110m). With the coveted A CinemaScore from audiences across the country, it was painfully obvious that families wanted something a little more kid friendly in the marketplace and MU provided. With solid reviews, the Pixar name and no real family films for a while, MU will be around for some time and could hit the $250-300m range Pixar hasn’t seen in a few years.
Coming in at a strong #2 was the surprise hit World War Z with $66m and a strong B+ CinemaScore rating, Paramount proved that Brad Pitt is indestructible. Even with a film that had the final third re-shot, causing a flush of bad press, as well as the exhausted Zommmmmmmmbiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeee plot, Pitt once again persevered and delivered the goods. World War Z managed to deliver a fresh enough spin on the zombie genre to get people interested again and so far they like what they see.
Man of Steel took a huge dip of 64% to $41m for a $210m total, more than 2006’s Superman Returns in $$, but not nearly as many tickets sold yet. With $400m worldwide already, a sequel is already in the works and you will be seeing more Supes in the next couple of years. Apparently Clark’s other weaknesses are cartoons, speed demons and the ever-so-dangerous Brad Pitt facial hair.
This is the End held up very well with a 37% drop to $13m for a $57m total. The Seth Rogen / James Franco Meta-flick has already made its money back so everyone in the cast will continue to cash some checks for a few more years. Rounding out the Top 5 was Now You See Me with another strong hold to $7.8m and a $94m total. $100m is just a formality at this point.
Be sure to listen to this weeks The Hollywood Outsider Movie & TV Podcast for our reviews of Man of Steel and This is the End, as well as we discuss this coming weekend’s releases The Heat and White House Down. Come back Thursday for an all-new HO where we will review World War Z and The Way Way Back.