Weekend Wrap-Up: Taken Takes Top Spot, Can't Save 2015

January 13, 2015

Taken 3 poster

Taken 3 earned first place at the box office, as expected, but it did so earning close to $40 million, which is much more than expected. Unfortunately, the rest of the box office wasn't nearly as strong as the overall number fell 19% from last week to $126 million. Compared to last year, the box office this year was 10% lower than the same weekend last year. Year-to-date, 2015 is behind 2014's pace by 1.8%. However, while 2014 was the worst year at the box office in nearly two decades, last January was the second-best January ever, so it is still way too early to panic.

Taken 3's reviews fell to just 11% positive, which is terrible, even for a January release. However, it still managed to surprise most analysts earning $39.20 million during its opening weekend. This is the third biggest January opening of all time and even with bad legs, it still has a chance to get to $100 million in the end. It will get a bit of a boost from the holidays next weekend, but it will also have to deal with more or less direct competition. We will have a much better picture of its chances to get to the century mark this time next week.

Selma landed in second place with $11.31 million during its first weekend of release for a total of $13.59 million including its limited release. Its reviews are 99% positive and it has picked up some Awards Season nominations and even won a Golden Globe over the weekend. If it can pick up some Oscar nominations, it might get to $50 million in the end. It should at least get past $30 million.

Into the Woods landed in third place with $9.55 million over the weekend for a total of $105.08 million after 18 days of release. It became the 30th film released in 2014 to hit the century mark, but it wasn't the only film to get to that milestone this weekend.

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies fell from first to fourth with $9.38 million over the weekend for a total of $236.46 million. It was within a rounding error of Thursday's predictions and it remains on pace to reach $250 million with relative ease.

Unbroken was the second film to hit the $100 million mark this weekend with $8.17 million over the weekend for a total of $101.40 million. It became the 31st film released in 2014 to get to the $100 million milestone and it won't be the last, as Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb is just $500,000 away.

The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death was the only film in the sophomore class falling form 4th to 9th place with $4.65 million over the weekend for a total of $22.16 million after ten days of release. The film likely cost $10 million or less, so this is enough to cover its production budget and if it can do as well internationally, then it will likely break even sometime on the home market. I don't think there should be a Woman in Black 3, on the other hand.

Inherent Vice just missed the top ten with $2.77 million over the weekend for a total of $4.35 million after a month of release, including its run in limited release. Its per theater average suggests it won't expand significantly, but it also suggests it will stick around long enough to get to $10 million. That's not much compared to a wide release, but that's good for a limited release.


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Filed under: Weekend Estimates, Selma, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, Into the Woods, Unbroken, Inherent Vice, Taken 3, American Sniper, The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death