If Dwayne Johnson Is Hollywood’s Biggest Star, Why Did ‘Rampage’ Open Soft?
Jordan Peele’s phenomenal film opened to about two thirds as much, then held better (down 15 and 26 percent its second and third weekends). “A Quiet Place” should best the $176 million domestic gross for “Get Out.” With stronger foreign interest, a worldwide total of over $300 million is likely.
“Rampage” proved the opening appeal of superstar Dwayne Johnson. Its second-weekend, 41 percent fall is the best for any of his films in the last six years, except for the holiday-boosted “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.” That’s good news for the big-budget title (just over $100 million), which is doing much better overseas. Led by China, and with Japan, Germany, and France still to open, it could end up somewhere between $450 million-$500 million, about 20 percent of that domestic. Johnson’s involvement boosted this above other recent high-end action films; even without a spectacular opening, it shows what the human element of a proven star can do to enhance an otherwise by-the-numbers release.
“I Feel Pretty” gets credit for grossing more than predictions, which were closer to $10 million. After “Blockers,” this is the second R-rated, female-centered comedy in recent weeks. The more-expensive “Pretty” ($32 million) will need a strong hold to get into profit. That’s possible, based on its appeal to women and as “Avengers”counterprogramming; it could end up with a strong multiple and earn more than $50 million, but it will need foreign results. “Game Night” opened close to the same gross and is nearing $70 million, four times opening weekend.
“Super Troopers 2” is a sequel to the 2000 cult success from the Broken Lizard comedy troupe. The first film opened wide to $9.8 million adjusted, ultimately reaching $29 million; this bested that number at $14.7 million, thanks to longtime male fans. (Ticket sales were 75 percent ages 25-49, and 64 percent male). On-the-ground, multi-city marketing by Broken Lizard also helped the film double initial expectations. At a $13 million budget, this looks like a winning bet for Fox Searchlight and its second (after “Isle of Dogs” also gets there) over-$30 million performer this year. That’s great timing for a unit primed to survive in the new Disney environment post-merger.
“Traffik” with Omar Epps and Paula Patton as a vacationing couple fighting off bikers made $3.875 million on a $4 million production budget. Still, it was the sole opener to rise Saturday from Friday and Lionsgate can make sure this has a post-theatrical afterlife.
Other decent holds were seen by “Ready Player One,” “Blockers,” and of course “Black Panther.” The first two fell about 35 percent, while “Panther” in its 10th weekend dropped only 20 percent.
Spielberg’s pricey video-world film is up to $126 million, with $150 domestic possible — more than three times its opening. It did more than 75 percent of its business outside North America, and should end up a very good $600 million or so worldwide. “Panther” will be affected by the new Marvel film, but still looks on track to reach $700 million domestic (it’s now $681 million). The next question: Will “Avengers: Age of Infinity” be its equal?
The Top Ten
1. A Quiet Place (Paramount) Week 3; Last weekend #2
$22,000,000 (-33%) in 3,808 theaters (+219); PTA (per theater average): $5,777; Cumulative: $132,359,000
2. Rampage (Warner Bros.) Week 2; Last weekend #1
$21,000,000 (-41%) in 4,115 theaters (+14); PTA: $5,103; Cumulative: $66,600,000
3. I Feel Pretty (STX) NEW – Cinemascore: B+; Metacritic: 47; Est. budget: $32 million
$16,220,000 in 3,440 theaters; PTA: $4,715; Cumulative: $16,220,000
4. Super Troopers 2 (20th Century Fox) NEW – Cinemascore: B+; Metacritic: 41; Est. budget: $13 million
$14,700,000 in 2,038 theaters; PTA: $7,213; Cumulative: $14,700,000
5. Truth or Dare (Universal) Week 2; Last weekend #3
$7,910,000 (-58%) in 3,068 theaters (+39); PTA: $2,578; Cumulative: $30,287,000
6. Ready Player One (Warner Bros.) Week 4; Last weekend #4
$7,500,000 (-35%) in 3,028 theaters (-453); PTA: $2,338; Cumulative: $126,181,000
7. Blockers (Universal) Week 3; Last weekend #5
$6,985,000 (-35%) in 3,134 theaters (-284); PTA: $2,229; Cumulative: $48,254,000
8. Black Panther (Disney) Week 10; Last weekend #6
$4,642,000 (-20%) in 1,930 theaters (-250); PTA: $2,405; Cumulative: $681,084,000
9. Traffik (Lionsgate) NEW – Cinemascore: NA; Metacritic: 39; Est. budget: $4 million
$3,875,000 in 1,046 theaters; PTA: $3,705; Cumulative: $3,875,000
10. Isle of Dogs (Fox Searchlight) Week 5; Last weekend #7
$3,400,000 (-38%) in 1,947 theaters (+8); PTA: $1,746; Cumulative: $24,360,000
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