With the domestic box office still in a bit of disarray following last week’s shooting in Colorado, a lack of exciting new offerings, the arrival of the London Olympics and a still potent showing from The Dark Knight Rises meant paltry debuts for The Watch and Step Up Revolution.
After grabbing the third-best opening weekend of all time, The Dark Knight Rises saw the expected sophomore drop for a blockbuster, losing approximately 60 percent of its business, grabbing $64.1 million and upping its 10-day cume to a huge $289.1 million.
“Rises” is running roughly $30 million behind The Dark Knight through the same period and seems unlikely to beat the then record-breaking run of Christopher Nolan’s follow-up to Batman Begins. Looking at the business of the latter two Batman films in Nolan’s canon, it’s really becoming apparent just how much of a phenomenon The Dark Knight really was in 2008.
After adding more countries overseas, The Dark Knight Rises collected an additional $122.1, upping its worldwide tally to a sensational $563.1. Like its predecessor, this Batman epic should gross $1 billion across the globe.
Also holding off new arrivals in its third week, Ice Age: Continental Drift fell by a third to $13.3 million for a $114.8 million domestic total. It’s pretty clear at this point that the fourth entry in the “Ice Age” franchise will become the lowest grossing of the bunch. Internationally however, “Drift” has amassed $514.1 million for a colossal $628.9 million worldwide.
The Top 10
1. The Dark Knight Rises - $64.1M (weekend)…$289.1M (cume)
2. Ice Age: Continental Drift - $13.3M…$114.8M
3. The Watch - $13.0M…$13.0M
4. Step Up Revolution - $11.8M…$11.8M
5. Ted - $7.4M…$193.7M
6. The Amazing Spider-Man - $6.8M…$242.1M
7. Brave - $4.2M…$217.3M
8. Magic Mike - $2.6M…$107.6M
9. Savages - $1.8M…$43.9M
10. Tyler Perry's Madea's Witness Protection - $1.3M…$62.7M
Debuting weakly in third was raunchy alien invasion comedy The Watch, which saw just $13 million. Again, it was real-world gun violence that cast a negative shadow over a movie, not to mention horrid reviews and plenty of competition among 20-something males. Starring Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughan and Jonah Hill, you can chalk The Watch up amongst this year’s flops as you can bet it won’t make back its $70 million budget.
Step Up Revolution didn’t fare much better snagging $11.8 million for the weakest debut of the four-film franchise. That being said, the “Step-Up” series is extremely popular overseas and has been gaining momentum with each entry, so don’t expect Lionsgate to be too worried.
In limited release, dramedy Ruby Sparks (from the makers of Little Miss Sunshine) got off to a good start in 13 theatres having grabbed $191,717 since its debut on Wednesday. Despite this strong start, however, don’t expect “Ruby” to have the kind of sleeper hit legs or awards attention “Sunshine” did in 2006.
Next week, eyes will be on Total Recall to see if it will be worthy sci fi or become the third $200-million flop of the year after John Carter and Battleship. Then, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days will aim for the young crowd as the third entry in series will try and maintain the solid business of the first two installments.
