Box Office Analysis 2014: 'Godzilla' Surprises at the Box Office; 'The Immigrant' Disappoints in Art House Cinemas
"Godzilla" won the box office, taking out all of its competition, while "The Immigrant" disappointed in art house cinemas.
The Warner Bros. monster flick made $93 million outpacing most expectations. Pundits had estimated the movie would open with $70 million but after the movies massive $38 million opening on Friday, the outlook changed. The movie had the second highest opening of 2014 following "Captain America: The Winter Solider's" $95 million opening back in April. The $160 million production was helped by its A-List cast, which included Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Bryan Cranston, Sally Hawkins, Juliette Binoche and Ken Watanabe, and its strong reviews. "Godzilla" was also helped by the word of mouth and its B+ rating on Cinemascore. The new film has hard weekends ahead of it, especially with the release of "X-Men: Days of Future Past" and "Maleficent." However, if it can continue to surprise, the movie could easily reach $250 million by the end of its run.
In second place, "Neighbors" made $25 million. The movie was down 47 percent from its outstanding opening weekend and brought its total to $91 million. The movie is still on track to reach the $130 to $150 million mark, especially since there is a lack of comedies in the marketplace.
"The Amazing Spider-Man 2" took another dip and was down 52 percent. The movie made 16.8 million and brought its total to $172 million. The film is dropping quickly and, with "X-Men" being release next week, the film is likely make $220 million by the end of its run.
The other new release of the weekend was Disney's "Million Dollar Arm" and opened with a disappointing $10.5 million. The movie opened to mixed reviews and at a time when audiences are more interested in the big tentpole films. The $25 million budgeted picture could have legs if word of mouth is good.
In fifth place, "The Other Woman" added another $6.3 million and brought its total to $71 million. The movie continues to have legs and with no other female-geared film coming to theaters in the next few weeks, the movie will continue to soar at the box office.
Meanwhile, "Heaven is for Real" made another $4.4 million. The movie has now made $82 million and $90 million could still be possible.
"Captain America: The Winter Soldier" hit the $250 million mark by adding $3.7 million to its box office gross.
"The Grand Budapest Hotel" also hit the $55 million milestone. The movie made another $1.1 million in 630 theaters and is now the highest-grossing Wes Anderson film.
In art house cinemas, "The Immigrant" was the biggest art house film to open. The movie was released in three theaters by the Weinstein Company and only brought in $45,400 which was a $15,133 per theater average. While the per theater average is solid, the total gross is a bit disappointing given the star wattage in the film. The movie stars Marion Cotillard, Joaquin Phoenix and Jeremy Renner. The movie also had solid reviews. However, the marketing campaign started a bit late and the fact that the movie was release a year after it premiered at Cannes may have hurt its box office opening. The Weinstein Company plans on expanding the movie in the coming weeks and hopes to improve its box office.
Fox Searchlight also had mixed results with "Belle." The period drama expanded to 173 theaters and made $960,000. The movie has now grossed $1.7 million but the movie is unlikely to cross over into mainstream audiences.
On the other hand "Chef" grossed $734,000 in 72 theaters. That equaled a $10,194 per theater average and brought the movie total to $1 million. The movie is slated to expand nationwide on Memorial Day and with these promising figures in limited release, "Chef" could easily become the Indie hit of the summer.
"Fading Gigolo" continued to perform strongly in 356 theaters. The movie brought in and estimated $445,000 and brought its total to $2.7 million. "Fading Gigolo" has become the second highest grossing film for Millennium Entertainment.
Meanwhile, the Weinstein Company also continued to struggle with "The Railway Man." The drama brought in an estimated $305,000 in 183 theaters. The Colin Firth-Nicole Kidman starrer has now made $2.7 million and it is unlikely to expand anymore.
A24's "Locke" brought in another $218,000 and brought its total to $833,000. The film has not been able to resonate with audiences and A24 will likely stop expanding the movie in the following weekend.
Sony Pictures Classics also had an off weekend with "Only Lover Left Alive." The movie grossed an estimated $127,000 in 95 theaters. The vampire flick has now made $1.2 million and, while it is a solid gross, the film has not been able to resonate for such a critically acclaimed movie.
Tribeca films' "Palo Alto" made an estimated $110,000 in 36 theaters and brought its total to $203,000. The movie had now become the highest-grossing Tribeca film to be distributed. The company's emphasis on theatrical releasing as opposed to VOD and theaters is paying off and the company will expand the movie in more markets in the coming weeks. If the film continues to perform strongly Tribeca is looking at its first film to gross over $1 million.