Weekend Wrap-Up: Dinobots Propel Transformers to the Top
June 30, 2014
As expected, Transformers: Age of Extinction easily won the race for the top of the box office chart and became the first film released in 2014 to earn more than $100 million during its opening weekend. Granted, it barely made it, but we will take it. This helped the overall box office climb by 20% to $190 million over the weekend. Unfortunately, this was still 8% lower than the same weekend last year when Monsters University repeated at the box office champion. Year-to-date, 2014 has pulled in $5.11 billion, which is 0.3% below 2013's pace of $5.13 billion. This is still close enough that we shouldn't panic, but the trajectory is going in the wrong direction.
Transformers: Age of Extinction earned first place, which is no surprise, but it topped $100 million, barely, which not everyone thought it would do. It managed $100.04 during its opening weekend, which is arguably the weakest opening in the franchise. (Two of the three previous films opened before Friday, so it is harder to compare.) Additionally, its reviews are also the weakest in the franchise. Even its audience reaction is barely positive at just 60%, which is terrible for an opening weekend reaction. On the positive side, there's no direct competition next weekend so it shouldn't have a problem pulling in a ton of money next weekend as well.
22 Jump Street beat expectations with $15.84 million over the weekend for a total of $140.28 million after three weeks of release. This film has already made enough to cover its combined budget, so everything it makes now is pure gravy.
How to Train Your Dragon 2 remained in third place with $13.24 million over the weekend for a running tally of $121.95 million. It is on pace to reach $150 million, which isn't bad, but it isn't great given its budget and its reviews. It is a little odd the film isn't a bigger hit.
Think Like a Man Too plummeted 65% to just $10.32 million over the weekend for a ten-day total of $48.08 million. The film didn't cost a lot to make, so this isn't a bad start. However, the 65% decline is still troubling.
Maleficent remained in the top five for one more weekend with $8.38 million, for a total of $202.01 million after a month of release. It wasn't the only film to reach that milestone over the weekend, but more on that below.
The only sophomore class film not in the top five was Jersey Boys, which fell to sixth place with $7.71 million over the weekend for a total of $27.44 million after two. Its sophomore stint decline was better than most films manage, but it won't be enough to break even any time soon.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 cracked $200 million over the weekend and now has a running tally of $200.19 million. It won't be the last May release to get to that milestone, as Godzilla is just $3 million behind and even though it is losing theaters, it should still stick around long enough to reach that milestone.
One final note, Captain America: The Winter Soldier has overtaken The LEGO movie and become the biggest hit of the year, again. I don't remember a year where two films switched places as the biggest hit of the year like this. Then again, unless Transformers: Age of Extinction completely collapses next weekend, this race will be moot.
Filed under: Weekend Estimates, Maleficent, How to Train Your Dragon 2, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Transformers: Age of Extinction, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, The Lego Movie, Godzilla, Think Like a Man Too, 22 Jump Street, Jersey Boys, Transformers