Here’s a lesson Hollywood might want to consider: Peter Berg‘s “Battleship” cost over $200 million and took $25 million on its opening weekend. By contrast, the tough adult war thriller “Lone Survivor” cost $40 million, and almost made up its budget this weekend earning $38 million and taking the number one slot. Just sayin’ …
But other than the Mark Wahlberg-starring flick, the box office is still in that weird early winter period of awards season holdovers/expansions. The only other wide release was “The Legend of Hercules,” and it’s not a shock that a movie starring Kellan Lutz that looked like it cost about five bucks (actually $70 million) opened in fourth place with $8.6 million.
Other films of note: Spike Jonze‘s “Her,” pushed to over 1,700 screens by Warner Bros., took $5.4 million but wasn’t able to crack the top ten. “Frozen” continues to fill the family audience void as it climbs over $300 million domestic and counting. And don’t dismiss the power of Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts as “August: Osage County,” which added 900 screens and broke through to the top ten with $7.3 million.
Full chart below.
1. Lone Survivor – $38 million
2. Frozen – $15 million ($317 mil.)
3. The Wolf Of Wall Street – $9 million ($78.5 mil)
4. The Legend Of Hercules – $8.6 million
5. American Hustle – $8.6 million ($101.5 mil)
6. The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug – $8 million ($242 mil.)
7. August: Osage County – $7.3 million ($7.8 mil.)
8. Saving Mr. Banks – $6.5 million ($68.9)
9. Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones – $6.3 million ($28.4 mil)
10. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues – $6.1 million ($118.5 mil)
