Call it the power of nostalgia, and an indicator of just how much those plastic bricks are a part of popular culture. Everyone went to see Warner Bros. “The Lego Movie” this weekend, with the critically acclaimed animated film hauling in a massive $69 million, making it the best February opening since “Passion Of The Christ” a decade ago. And with huge buzz on the film, an A-grade CinemaScore and seemingly everyone falling head over heels for the flick, expect this one to stick around for a while. No wonder they are already working on a sequel.
Meanwhile, George Clooney‘s “The Monuments Men” played to the older set. With 75% of ticket buyers for this one over 35, and half of them female, the feel good wartime dramedy played right to the demographic but not much beyond. Still, it’s a solid opening that continues to prove there is good size audience adult fare, and it’s one of Clooney’s best openings—not including his various stints with Brad Pitt. That said, with a reported $70 million budget, it will need to sustain over the next few weeks to break even or turn a small profit.
Elsewhere, it’s not much of a shock that the half-heartedly promoted, not-screened-for-press YA hopeful “Vampire Academy” stalled in seventh place. The Weinstein Company seemed to give up on this one a long time ago, so throw this onto the growing pile of YA adaptations that aren’t translating to the big screen. Meanwhile, Kevin Hart and Ice Cube cruised to their first $100 million movie with “Ride Along” continuing to hold strong. Full chart below.
1. The Lego Movie $69.1 million
2. The Monuments Men $22.7 million
3. Ride Along $9.3 million ($105.1 mil.)
4. Frozen $6.9 million (($368.6 mil.)
5. That Awkward Moment $5.5 million ($16.8 mil.)
6. Lone Survivor $5.2 million (($112.5 mil.)
7. Vampire Academy $4.1 million
8. The Nut Job $3.8 million ($55 mil.)
9. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit $3.6 million ($44.4 mil.)
10. Labor Day $3.2 million ($10.1 mil.)