DC’s Clash of Heroes Struck Down by ‘Beauty and the Beast’
For the second consecutive year, the March opening weekend has fallen. Disney’s live-action remake, Beauty and the Beast shattered records this weekend, opening up to an estimated $170 million.
While the “Martha” meme has plagued Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice for the past year, the DC blockbuster have to worry more about Belle. Disney has made history once again with Beauty and the Beast, topping Batman v Superman’s $166 opening. The studio’s live-action remakes have been incredibly successful. Last year’s The Jungle Book surpassed expectations, opening over $103 million. Beauty and the Beast blew those numbers away, claiming the 7th biggest debut ever. Without question, we’re looking at 2017’s first $400 million hit. Reception has been great between generally positive reviews and an A grade on CinemaScore.
After becoming last weekend’s top monster, Kong: Skull Island gave up the top spot to a biggest beast. The Universal MonsterVerse film dropped a decent 52.7%. That’s much better than 2014’s Godzilla, which fell 66.6% over Memorial Day weekend. Skull Island looks to be the first March opener over $60 million to not clear $195 million. In fact, it may end up neck-and-neck with the studio’s own Get Out, finishing around $165 million.
Fox’s superhero film, Logan, is now the biggest film of 2017 domestically. Well for the next 24-to-48 hours that is. Down one spot from last weekend, the Wolverine finale dropped 54.1%, pulling in another $17.5 million. With $184 million in the bank, Logan has topped X-Men Origins: Wolverine ($179.9 million). Next up is X2: X-Men United ($214.9 million), which Logan may end up either way at this point. The holdover for Beauty and the Beast and the debut of Power Rangers will determine the over/under.
Jordan Peele’s Get Out took its biggest hit this weekend. Now in fourth place, the critically-acclaimed horror from Universal made $13.3 million in its fourth frame. Most films would be glad to have a 36.1% drop. For Get Out, the decline could keep the film south of $165 million. Right now, Get Out stands at $133.1 million. It should have no problem becoming the 2017’s fourth $150 million hit in the next week or two. From there, we’ll see where it winds up.
Faith-based film, The Shack, rounds out the top charts this weekend with $6.1 million. After 17 days of release, the Lionsgate production has grossed $42.6 million. This weekend’s 38.7% drop was on par with last weekend 38.1% decline. A $55 million finish is possible. However, it might not conjure up the 4x multiplier, we’ve seen from faith-based comparisons such as Miracles from Heaven and Heaven is For Real.
Note: These #’s are based on Sunday’s projections and can change with Monday’s actual #’s.
#1 – Beauty and the Beast (NR)
$170.0 million / $170.0 million total
#2 – Kong: Skull Island (1)
$28.9 million / $110.1 million total
#3 – Logan (2)
$17.5 million / $184.0 million total
#4 – Get Out (3)
$13.3 million / $133.1 million total
#5 – The Shack (4)
$6.1 million / $42.6 million total
Opening Next Week: CHiPs, Life, Power Rangers
Source: Box Office Mojo
