Weekend Wrap-Up: Martian and Transylvania Help Box Office Remain Strong
October 6, 2015
It was an interesting weekend as The Martian was in a tight race with Gravity for Biggest October Weekend. It didn't quite set the record, but it came close enough to be the big story all weekend. Hotel Transylvania 2 held on better than expected, which helped the overall box office grow 8.3% from last week to $149 million. More importantly, the top two films this year were well ahead of the top two films last year, Gone Girl and Annabelle. This helped the overall box office grow 1.8% from the same weekend last year. Most people were not expecting that. Year-to-date, 2015 now has a 6.0% lead over 2014 at $8.14 billion to $7.68 billion. It would take a relatively serious collapse for 2015 to not come out on top at the end of the year.
The Martian earned an easy first place matching expectations (nearly) perfectly with an opening weekend of $54.31 million. This was only $1.5 million behind the Biggest October Weekend, currently held by Gravity. The two films also have similar reviews and could have similar legs. This means a $200 million final box office would be considered a disappointment. $250 million is the real target. Lets hope those reviews turn into strong legs.
Hotel Transylvania 2 managed to hold on better than its predecessor dropping just 32% during its sophomore stint earning $33.19 million over the weekend for a ten-day total of $90.73 million. This puts it close to 20% above the original's pace, meaning it could hit $175 million in total. I can't image there won't be a Hotel Transylvania 3.
Sicario's expansion didn't go quite as well as expected as it only managed $12.15 million for a total of $15.15 million, including two weeks of limited release. Granted, this isn't a terrible weekend and its reviews and Award Season buzz could help it reach $50 million. On the other hand, its per theater average is low enough that if it doesn't have a good hold next weekend, it could see its theater count drop quickly.
The Intern held on better than expected, down just 34% to $11.69 million over the weekend for a total of $36.59 million after two weeks of release. It is on pace for $50 million and should get there with relative ease. However, its per theater average is low enough that it will start shedding theaters soon, so $60 million is likely out of reach. Even so, the film cost just $40 million to make, so as long as it can match this figure internationally, it will break even early on its home market run.
The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials rounded out the top five with $7.80 million over the weekend for a three-week total of $63.40 million. The film is $10 million behind the pace of the original film and that gap is only going to grow as it sheds theaters.
The Walk missed the top ten with $1.56 million over the weekend for a five-day total of $1.98 million. This is close to the low end of expectations and it makes a wide expansion on Friday highly unlikely.
The only film in the sophomore class to not reach the top five was The Green Inferno, which fell to 12th place with $1.31 million over the weekend for a total of $5.96 million after two. Its per theater average is below $1,000, so its theater count should be slashed this weekend.
Filed under: Weekend Wrap-up, Hotel Transylvania 2, The Green Inferno, The Intern, The Martian, The Walk, Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials, Sicario