WEEKEND BOX OFFICE
Finally, a very good weekend and that thanks to monstruous business from 'Dracula Untold' and a nice job from the holdovers.
- As I said in last week's post, Dracula Untold was bound to be big. It had the sure receipe for success here: a historical setting with massive action scenes. But the opening was beyond any expectations. 'Dracula' had the sixth highest OW of the year, with 57.184 admissions (and $ 311K). With that, it's guaranteed over 1M and (very possibly) a place in Top 10 for the year.
- In second, The Equalizer held nicely in it's second frame, off just 37%. Over 18.000 tickets were sold for it, the number your typical Denzel movie opens with. 'A Walk Among The Tombstones' and 'The November Man' will hit it hard next week. Still,it should close well over 500K, and that's a win.
- In third, Gone Girl opened with 16.826 adm. That's a bit better than 'Prisoners' last year, but that's not saying much. A disappointing start overall.
- The Maze Runner fell 45% in it's third weekend. That's still way ahead of 'Divergent' and the first 'Hunger Games' through the same point and it's a decent hold considering the huge opening for 'Dracula'. 700K is still in play.
- The House of Magic continues to amaze. It fell a measly 5%. When all is said and done, it should be over 550K, a very good result for an unknown property.
- Let's Be Cops, Lucy and Guardians of the Galaxy all had good drops, in the 31-35% range.
- America, venim! and If I Stay close the Top 10, fading off quickly.
Here's the top:
The overall 2014 box office is running 19.5 % ahead of 2013.
Next week's openers:
- A Walk Among The Tombstones
- The November Man
- What If
- Q.E.D (local drama)
Liam Neeson is well known here. 'Taken 2' was a hit and 'Non-Stop' also did good business, opening over 30.000 admissions. That's rising the bar too high, but an opening over 20.000 admissions shoud be a piece of cake.
Opening the same weekend as 'A Walk Among The Tombstones' and only two weeks after 'The Equalizer' shoud limit 'The November Man''s audience. How much though, it remains to be seen.
Teen romantic movies don't do well here. Just look at 'The Fault In Our Stars' or 'If I Stay'. It would be a miracle if 'What If' debuts above 10.000 admissions.
The local movie will, as always, bomb.