For the third weekend in a row, N.W.A biopic Straight Outta Compton has landed in the top spot at the box office with $13.2 million, surpassing Sony’s newcomer War Room.
Straight Outta Compton has accumulated a grand domestic total of more than $134 million, making it the highest-grossing musical biopic of all time – passing Walk the Line’s $119.5 million domestic haul.
War Room raked up a surprising $11 million debut in 1,135 theaters for a second place finish, nearly double the amount analysts previously expected. The PG-rated faith-based drama earned a 17 percent “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, while moviegoers were more enthralled by the film – giving it an A plus grade on CinemaScore.
“These are the kind of outlier events that happen and wake everyone up to the fact that faith-based audiences are passionate and looking for content,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Rentrak.
Written by Alex and Stephen Kendrick (2011’s Courageous and 2008’s Fireproof), the Christian family film stars T.C. Stallings and Priscilla Shirer as a couple who turn to prayer to fix their marriage. War Room marks as the biggest debut for the brothers.
“There is so much love for this film,” said Rory Bruer, Sony’s distribution chief. “It starts with the Kendricks. They’re visionaries in this genre.”
The weekend’s other new release was Warner Bros.’ We Are Your Friends, which disappointed with a measly $1.8 million debut from 2,333 theaters. The film, featuring Zac Efron, earned a C plus grade on CinemaScore from moviegoers, while critics gave it a 43 percent “fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes.
“We’re disappointed,” said Jeff Goldstein, Warner Bros. distribution executive vice president. “We believe in Zac and this was a passion project of his.”
The Weinstein Company’s No Escape was the final new release for the weekend, earning $8.29 million for a fourth place finish. Starring Owen Wilson, the action thriller nearly tied with Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation ($8.3 million) for the third spot. Rogue Nation has accumulated more than $170 million domestically since its debut.
Owen Wilson & Lake Bell on the Dangers of Filming ‘No Escape’
No Escape earned a 41 percent “fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, while audiences gave it a B plus grade on CinemaScore.
Rounding out the top five is the horror flick Sinister 2 with $4.7 million in its second week. Its domestic total has reached $18.5 million.
Top 10 Films at Weekend Box Office: August 28-30
- Straight Outta Compton — $13.2 million
- War Room — $11.0 million
- Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation — $8.3 million
- No Escape — $8.29 million
- Sinister 2 — $4.7 million
- Man From U.N.C.L.E. — $4.4 million
- Hitman: Agent 47 — $3.9 million
- The Gift — $3.1 million
- Jurassic World — $3.1 million
- Ant-Man — $3.1 million
