Monday, July 22, 2013

WEEKEND BOX OFFICE: 'Conjuring' Frightens the Masses During Overcrowded Weekend Frame




















With four new releases launching onto the big screen this weekend, Despicable Me 2's impressive back-to-back run as the top film at the box office was set to end.

The Conjuring starring Patrick Wilson (Insidious) and Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel) scared up a first place finish with an estimated $42 million, setting a horror record for  non-sequels, prequels or reboots. The Conjuring also is a career high for director James Wan (Saw, Insidious).

Dropping to the second place, Illumination Entertainment's Despicable Me 2 continued to fend off the other three new releases, Turbo, RED 2 and R.I.P.D. with another $25 million added to its $276 million 3-week run. Despicable Me 2 is now the highest grossing animated film from the past three years.

   
Note: These #'s are based on Sunday's projections and can change with Monday's actual #'s 

#1 The Conjuring (NR)
$41.5 million / $41.5 million total

A hauntingly enticing marketing campaign and highly favorable reviews skyrocketed The Conjuring to the top spot this weekend at the box office. Having previously directed Saw and Insidious, James Wan has been successful at not only winning over audiences, but critics alike. Strong word-of-mouth could keep The Conjuring's momentum going towards at least a $90 million run with $100 million still feasible.  

#2 Despicable Me 2 (1)
$25.1 million / $276.2 million total

Within three weeks of release, the Illumination Entertainment sequel has not only surpassed 2010's Despicable Me, but its Pixar competition, Monsters University as well to become the highest grossing animated film of 2013. Later this week, Despicable Me 2 will pass Man of Steel to become the #2 movie of 2013 with the $300 million threshold smashed by the end of next weekend.

#3 Turbo (NR)
$21.5 million / $31.2 million total

Despite a 2-day head start on this much crowded weekend, Turbo finished third with a weak $21.5 million opening. With DreamWorks animated films typically opening larger than $35 million, Turbo is off to a rough start. Last year's Rise of the Guardians opened a notch higher with $23 million, but had holiday legs to push the fairy-tale Avengers flick over the century mark. 

#4 Grown Ups 2 (2)
$20.0 million / $79.5 million total

Grown Ups 2 may be one of the least critically received films of 2013, but Adam Sandler heading to the bank as the comedy sequel raked in another $20 million to add to its near $80 million cume. Grown Ups 2 isn't generating the same success as its previous film, but a $100 million plus finish for Sandler is the perfect turnaround he's been searching for after Jack and Jill and That's My Boy both underperformed.  

#5 RED 2 (NR)
$18.5 million / $18.5 million total

The overcrowded frame denied the "Retired, Extremely Dangerous" sequel from opening larger than its 2010 counterpart. RED 2 opened $3 million shy of RED, despite being released in the middle of summer rather than fall.   

Opening Next Week: The Wolverine, The To-Do List, The Way, Way Back (expansion)

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