Box Office Analysis & Recap: 'Guardians of the Galaxy' Becomes Highest Grossing Film of the Year
"Guardians of the Galaxy" has won the Labor Day weekend ending the 2014 summer.
The Marvel film made another $16.3 million and brought its total to $274 million. The movie, now in its fifth weekend, won its third box office crown and became the highest grossing film of the year. With no new releases next weekend, the film is likely to continue at No. 1 and now has better chance of reaching the $300 million by the end of its run.
In second place, "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles grossed $11.7 million and brought its total to $162 million. The movie still has legs and could still make the $200 million with no competition in the next weeks.
The Chloe Grace Moretz starrer "If I Stay" remained at number three and saw a 40 percent drop from its opening weekend. The movie made $9 million and has now made $29.8 million in two weeks. The romance is likely to end its run with $40 million to $45 million.
Universal's new release "As Above/So Below" opened with a disappointing $8.3 million. It is the latest horror film to underperform. Universal did not spend much on marketing, and reviews were dismal. Given the lack of attention horror films have gotten this year, expect the movie to leave theaters quickly.
"Let's Be Cops" rounded out the top five with $8.2 million. The comedy may have scored terrible reviews but has had strong word-of-mouth. The Jake Johnson starrer has already grossed $57 million and is headed to the $75 million mark.
In sixth place, "The November Man" had a disappointing opening making $7.6 million. The movie had opened on Wednesday to get a head start but only managed to reach $9.3 million its first five days. The opening is far less than similar thrillers that opened on Labor Day weekend like "The American" ($13.2 million), "The Debt" ($9.9 million), and "Lawless" ($10 million).
Pierce Brosnan has not been a box office draw for years, and with bad reviews, "The November Man" will likely fade quickly.
In its second weekend "When the Games Stands Tall" made $5.6 million and brought its total to $15 million. Meanwhile, "The Giver" continued to play well due to word-of-mouth. Having made $5.2 million, the young adult film brought its total to $31.5 million.
"Cantinflas" took 12th place and made an outstanding $2.6 million in 382 theaters. While the total is not as high as last year's "Instructions Not Included," the biopic proved that the Hispanic audiences are some of the top moviegoers around. Lionsgate will expand the film next weekend hoping to continue its success.
"Frank Miller's Sin City: A Dame To Kill For" continued to flop as it only made $2.1 million and brought its two weekend gross to $10.7 million. The film has still made less than the original film's opening weekend and is likely to end its run with less than $15 million.
The specialty films were led by "Boyhood," which made $1.5 million and brought its total to $18 million. Meanwhile, Woody Allen's "Magic in the Moonlight" made $825,000 and has now grossed $8 million. The comedy is turning out to be a disappointment in comparison to Allen's recent successes "Blue Jasmine" and "Midnight in Paris."
The Weinstein Company expanded "Begin Again" and the film made $784,000. After a disappointing summer box office, the film has now made $16 million, and the company will expand it in time for awards season.
Meanwhile Open Road finally hit the $30 million with the smash hit "Chef." Having expanded it into 757 theaters, the film made another $664,000.
"A Most Wanted Man" may have decreased its theater count but still managed to make $585,000 and get close to the $15 million mark.
Fox Searchlight expanded "Calvary" into 322 theaters and made a solid $520,000. While it has made $2.3 million, the movie has to reach the success of Searchlight's recent releases.
Sony Pictures Classics expanded "Love is Strange" and continued to have success. In 27 theaters, the movie made $236,000 for a $9,704 per theater average. Great reviews and awards buzz will likely make an indie success, and it could potentially crossover into the main stream.
Roadside Attractions had a disappointing opening with "Life of Crime" as it made $99,500 in in 33 theaters. The company released the Jennifer Aniston and John Hawkes starrer on both VOD and in theaters, and as a result, the theatrical release did not get as much hype.
Meanwhile, Tribeca Films had better success with the critically acclaimed prison drama "Starred Up." The movie was also released on VOD, but it still managed to make $11,000 in two theaters. That equals to a formidable $5,500 per theater average. The movie is expanding the next few weeks, and awards buzz is strong on this picture.
Sony Pictures Classics had a dull opening with "The Notebook." The Hungarian film had not buzz and no marketing. As a result, it only grossed $3,200 in two theaters. Sony acquired the film last year when the movie landed in the top nine movies that would compete for a nomination in the foreign film category at the Oscars. However, the drama did not get nominated and disappeared from the distributor's radar.
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