Weekend Wrap-Up: Noah Sails to the Top, but Box Office Sinks

April 1, 2014

Noah poster

March is over and it ended on a bit of a down note. Noah topped expectations, but not every film managed to do the same. For instance, Sabotage barely avoided the Mendoza Line. Overall the box office was down less than $1 million, or 0.7%, when compared to last weekend. Compared to last year, the box office was down 5%, which isn't great, but given how strong 2014 has been, it is hardly a reason to panic. In fact, year-to-date, 2014 has a 6% lead over 2013 at $2.35 billion to $2.22 billion.

Noah easily won the race to the top of the weekend box office chart earning $43.72 million and unless the film completely collapses next weekend, it will get past $100 million domestically. Good news, its reviews are still overwhelmingly positive, so the legs should be fine. Bad news, Captain America: The Winter Soldier opens on Friday and it could really cut into this film's box office numbers next weekend.

Divergent didn't collapse quite as much as expected down 53% to $25.62 million over the weekend for a ten-day total of $94.38 million. It will hit $100 million shortly and could finish with $150 million domestically. (It is too soon to tell where it will end up worldwide.) Regardless, it will be profitable and the rest of the trilogy will go forward, but I'm hoping the next movies will be better than this movie was.

Muppets Most Wanted dipped just 34% to $11.28 million over the weekend for a total of $33.12 million after two. At this pace, it should earn more than $55 million domestically, which is what it cost to make. If it can do as well internationally, then it will break even sometime on the home market. Will there be another Muppets movie in the near future? That depends on the merchandising.

Mr. Peabody and Sherman held on surprisingly well down just 23% to $9.07 million over the weekend for a total of $94.48 million after four weeks of release. There is a 50/50 chance this is the last weekend in the top five for the film, but it will reach $100 million by this time next week no matter where it ends up. It was an expensive movie to make, but it looks like it will earn enough to justify a sequel.

God's Not Dead rounded out the top five with $8.80 million over the weekend in 1,178 theaters for a two-week total of $21.75 million. It might expand further this coming weekend, which would allow it to remain the top five one more week.

The Grand Budapest Hotel rose a spot to sixth place with $8.54 million over the weekend for a total of $24.17 million after four weeks of release. It has a little more room to expand, so it might reach the top five next weekend.

Sabotage opened on the low end with just $5.27 million over the weekend landing in seventh place in the process. This is partially due to the reviews, which were awful, but also Arnold Schwarzenegger just isn't a box office draw anymore. I don't know if he will find his groove again, but I'm sure he will get another chance.

300: Rise of an Empire fell to ninth place with $4.21 million over the weekend, but this was enough to lift its total to $101.05 million. It became the third film released in 2014 to reach the century mark, but it obviously won't be the last. Both Divergent and Mr. Peabody and Sherman will join it shortly.

Cesar Chavez missed the top ten in its debut earning 12th place with $2.86 million in 664 theaters. Its reviews are not good, so it likely won't stick around very long.

Bad Words was right behind with $2.56 million in 842 theaters giving it a running tally of $3.48 million. Its reviews are pretty good, but its per theater average is low enough that other theater owners won't be excited to book it.


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Filed under: Weekend Estimates, Mr. Peabody & Sherman, 300: Rise of an Empire, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Noah, Divergent, Muppets Most Wanted, Bad Words, Sabotage, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Cesar Chavez, God’s Not Dead, Muppets, Arnold Schwarzenegger