When your options are a tepidly received “RoboCop” remake and a Valentine’s Day-themed romance movie that only the teenage girl die-hards seemed interested in (“Endless Love”), is it any wonder “The Lego Movie” blocked out the competition this weekend? That said, performing quite well was the “About Last Night” remake. And no, don’t chalk that one up to ’80s nostalgia—instead, see it as one more film connecting with the underserved African-American audience who are happy to come out in droves when a movie is actually geared towards them.
Taking the number one slot for the second week in a row, “The Lego Movie” took in a whopping $48 million, which is better than most movies do in their opening weekend these days. Not even the storms and the binge-friendly “House Of Cards” on Netflix could put a major dent in the box office. With a domestic total of $129.1 million so far, “The Lego Movie” could ostensibly play big at theaters all winter long. Directed by Steve Pink, and cost-effective in its budget, the $27 million opening weekend for “About Last Night” will end up as a winner for Screen Gems, especially in the long run (we’ll assume this one has long legs). This and “Ride Along,” still in the top 10 at number six with $116 million total domestically, prove Kevin Hart is still a major box-office draw (an A- Cinemascore for “About Last Night” doesn’t hurt either), though considering the low budgets and successes of his films, dude’s going to be in the market for a huge pay raise soon.
Crashing and burning rather hard was Warner Bros. romance fantasy story, “Winter’s Tale.” Opening small with $7.7 million, not even the starry cast of Colin Farrell, Jennifer Connelly and Russell Crowe—arguably the biggest of this week’s new releases—could help this one.Reviews were absolutely dreadful proving that audiences actually listened… this time anyhow. Call it a black eye for first-time director Akiva Goldsman, who is already loathed for writing “Batman & Robin,” “Batman Forever” and broad junk like “The Da Vinci Code.“
“The Monuments Men” may not have connected with critics and younger audiences, but another underserved audience—the above-45 crowd—are still supporting this one and coming in at number four with $15 million in its second week of release is not too shabby. With a $70 million budget, however, the true test will be if the George Clooney-lead movie can climb into the black and close to $100 million (it sits at $43.6 million domestically in week two).
The film’s “biggest” release publicity-wise was easily Sony’s “RoboCop” remake. However, taking in $21 million in the third slot is not what the studio imagined when they first green-lit the remake, and surely chances of a franchise are probably in the toilet now. It’s not a massive bomb by any means, but with a weak critical reception, a potential big drop in week two and a starring cast that aren’t exactly stars (Joel Kinnaman, Abbie Cornish), it’s conceivable this one could vanish and barely top out at $100 million domestically (the price tag of its budget) before all is said and done. Its one saving grace? Overseas the tentpole has connected. It’s #1 in 15 markets and earned $35 million for a $70 million worldwide total so far. Perhaps a la “Die Hard” and “G.I. Joe,” film series that don’t perform super strongly at home, international markets could keep a sequel afloat if the success continues.
Rounding out the bottom of the top 10, “Frozen” and “Lone Survivor” are still in it for the long haul, with the former having reached $955 million worldwide so far. Should be about two weeks away from hitting the billion mark. Right now it’s the third biggest animated film ever after “Toy Story 3” and “Despicable Me 2.” Box Office results below.
1. “The LEGO Movie” – $48,810,000 ($129,113,000)
2. “About Last Night” (2014)
– $27,000,000
3. “RoboCop” – $21,500,000
4. “The Monuments Men” – $15,000,000 ($43,670,000)
5. “Endless Love” – $13,380,000
6. “Ride Along” – $8,759,000 ($116,133,000)
7. “Winter’s Tale” – $7,785,000
8. “Frozen” – $5,855,000 ($376,046,000)
9. “Lone Survivor” – $4,076,000 ($118,402,000)
10. “That Awkward Moment” – $3,337,000 ($21,400,000)