Box Office Analysis 2014: 'Neighbors' Destroys Not-So-Amazing 'Spider-Man;' Why Superhero Film Will Be Lowest Grossing Installment in Franchise History
Seth Rogen and Zac Efron's "Neighbors" knocked off "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" from the top spot at this weekend's box office.
The raunchy comedy, which also stars Rose Byrne and is directed by Nick Stoller, made a surprising $51 million. The movie became the third highest R-rated comedy opening. The total was behind "Ted" ($54.4 million) and "Sex and the City" ($57 million). However it was ahead of "The Hangover," "The Heat: and "21 Jump Street." The film also marked the highest opening for a Seth Rogen movie. The opening marks the fourth 2014 Universal movie to open above expectations. Previously "Lone Survivor," "Ride Along" and "Non-Stop" had a successful few months earlier this year. The strong reviews and the lack of comedies opening this month should give "Neighbors" a strong chance of making $140 million by the end of its run.
In second place, "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" brought in an estimated $37 million, which was 59 percent from its opening weekend. The movie, which stars Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, brought its total to $147.9 million. The movie is currently slated to become the lowest grossing "Spider-Man" movie and is on track to make $210 to $220 million. However, with "Godzilla" and "X-Men: Days of Future Past" opening in the next two weeks, "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" could end its run with an even lower gross.
"The Other Woman" continued to successful appeal to women audiences as it made another $9.2 million. The Cameron Diaz film has already made a total of $61 million and it is likely to end its run with more than $70 million.
In fourth place, "Heaven is for Real" dropped 18 percent from last weekend and made $7 million. The movie has already made a surprising $75 million and is now on track to make at least $85 million. The Tristar film, which was budgeted at $12 million, can already be considered one of the box office surprises of the year.
"Captain America: The Winter Solider" brought in another $5.6 million. The movie only had a 27 percent drop and brought its total to $245 million. The movie continues to have legs but it could be affected next weekend with the release of "Godzilla."
Meanwhile, "Rio 2" continued to trail the original film and only made another $5.1 million. The movie has only made $113 million and is likely to end its run with $120 million.
Aside from "Neighbors," the marketplace saw two other new releases bomb. "Mom's Night Out" was released in 1,044 theaters and was only able to bring in $4.2 million. The movie was geared towards the Christian groups that saw "God's Not Dead" and "Heaven Is For Real." However the marketing did not really take advantage of the faith angle like the other two films showed in their trailers.
"Legend of Oz: Return to Oz" was an even bigger failure. The movie brought in an estimated $3.7 million in 2,575 theaters. That was equivalent to $1,439 per theater average and it also became one of the worst openings for a movie to open in more than 2,000 theaters. Clarius Entertainment was debuting as a distributor and after this first result, the company will have to rethink its strategy for the next movie.
"The Grand Budapest Hotel" became the highest grossing film for director Wes Anderson. The movie has already made $53 million and is still playing strongly in theaters.
In art house theaters, "Fading Gigolo" led the way with an estimated $768,000 in 340 theaters. The movie has already made $2 million at the box office and Millennium Entertainment will likely expand the film into more theaters this upcoming weekend.
Fox Searchlight's "Belle" expanded into 45 theaters and made an estimated $473,000; that is the equivalent of a $10,511 per theater average. Having already made $620,000 in two weeks, Fox Searchlight is preparing to expand the movie into more theaters; next weekend will be crucial for the film's long term success.
Meanwhile, "The Railway Man" made an estimated $473,000, which was down 9 percent from last weekend. The Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman movie, which has disappointed up to this point, held better than expected and has already made $2.2 million. While it is not clear if the Weinstein Company will expand the movie, the successful hold could be a sign of how the movie will continue to perform throughout the summer.
A24 continued to struggle with "Locke." While the film has obtained rave reviews, it only brought in $239,000 this weekend while playing in 73 theaters. Through three weeks the film's cumulative domestic gross is a disappointing $540,000 and it is unlikely that A24 will expand it into any more theaters.
Open Road had an incredible opening with "Chef." The star-studded film, which includes Sofia Vergara, Scarlett Johansson, Jon Favreau, Robert Downey Jr. and John Leguizamo, made $204,000 in six theaters. That amounted to a $34,000 per theater average. The movie will expand nationwide and based on the successful opening, it is likely to easily capture mainstream audiences.
"Only Lovers Left Alive" continued its run and brought in $197,000 in 92 theaters. The film has already crossed the $1 million mark and it is likely that Sony Pictures Classics will continue to expand it.
Tribeca Film debuted "Palo Alto" in four theaters and made an estimated $80,000. The film had a very different release from previous Tribeca films. Instead of being released on VOD and theatrical at the same time, Tribeca decided to only go for a theatrical run. The movie is currently on track to become the highest grossing Tribeca film to date and based on its promising run, "Palo Alto" is likely to be a surprise Indie hit.
Radius TWC also had a promising release for "Fed Up." The movie was released in 18 theaters and made an estimated $130,000. Like Tribeca Films, Radius opted for a theatrical release only. The distributor is planning on expanding the movie next weekend and, based on reviews and word of mouth, "Fed Up" is likely to gain attention.
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