Movies
Box Office Recap: ‘Zootopia’ Rules Again, Beating Newcomers
The animated animal comedy Zootopia finished in first place for the second week in a row – pulling in an additional $50 million, just after last week’s record-breaking debut.
“Disney released a movie for families at the perfect time and they are definitely reaping the benefits of that,” says comScore senior box-office analyst Paul Dergarabedian. “The marketplace has spoken.”
WATCH: Making of ZOOTOPIA with Directors Byron Howard & Rich Moore
Thus far, the Disney film has gathered $142.6 million domestically after 10 ten days and $83.1 million internationally, totaling out to $431.3 million worldwide.
The weekend’s new wide release was J.J. Abrams’ 10 Cloverfield Lane, debuting with $25.2 million in second place across 3,391 theaters. The sequel didn’t quite reach as high as the original Cloverfield, which opened to $40.1 million. With a B minus CinemaScore and a stunning 90 percent “fresh” Rotten Tomatoes score, 10 Cloverfield Lane stars John Goodman, John Gallegher Jr. and Mary Elizabeth Winstead.
The other weekend newcomers – The Perfect Match, The Young Messiah and The Brothers Grimsby – failed to make the top five at the box office.
The Perfect Match earned the most out of the pack, with $4.2 million for a sixth place finish, opening in only 925 theaters. Executive produced by Queen Latifah, the romantic comedy stars Terrence J and Cassie Ventura and follows the story of a sworn bachelor who reconsiders his ways when he meets a mysterious woman. The film earned a 31 percent “fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes from critics.
Next up is The Young Messiah, which debuted with $3.4 million in seventh place across 1,761 theaters. Following the life of Jesus as a young boy, the faith-based movie received an A-minus CinemaScore from moviegoers and a 63 percent “fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes from critics.
“Faith-based movies tend to be very consistent performers, particularly at this time of the year,” Dergarabedian says. “Maybe it’ll get a nice boost Easter weekend, but there’s almost too much inventory in terms of films in the marketplace. With this many wide-release debuts, it’s hard to rise above the noise.”
In eighth place is Sacha Baron Cohen’s comedy The Brothers Grimsby with a dismal $3.2 million across 2,235 theaters, the worst opening of all time for the comedian. Receiving a 38 percent “fresh” Rotten Tomatoes score from critics and a B-plus CinemaScore from moviegoers, Cohen stars in Grimsby as a football hooligan who teams up with his brother on a spy mission.
“He’s definitely an acquired taste and has a distinctive point of view,” says Dergarabedian. “When you’re trying to create films that are not necessarily cookie-cutter and really push the envelope, those are movies that down the road may be seen in a better light but sometimes are difficult to digest at first.”
Holdovers Deadpool, London Has Fallen and Whiskey Tango rounded out the top five at the box office.
Deadpool landed in third place with another $10.8 million, bringing its domestic total to $328.1 million, while Gerard Butler’s London Has Fallen followed closely behind in fourth with $10.7 million. The action flick has accumulated $38.85 since debuting last week. Lastly, in fifth place is Tina Fey’s Whiskey Tango Foxtrot with $4.6 million in its second weekend for a domestic total of $14.6 million.
Top 10 Films at Weekend Box Office: March 11-13
- Zootopia — $50 million
- 10 Cloverfield Lane — $25.2 million
- Deadpool — $10.8 million
- London Has Fallen — $10.7 million
- Whiskey Tango Foxtrot — $4.6 million
- The Perfect Match — $4.2 million
- The Young Messiah — $3.4 million
- The Brothers Grimsby— $3.2 million
- Gods Of Egypt — $2.5 million
- Risen — $2.3 million