‘Boss Baby,’ ‘Beast’ Repeat Before the Furious Storm Ahead
Like last weekend, The Boss Baby and Beauty and the Beast were the top two contenders at the weekend box office. However, the DreamWorks’ animated film edged out the Disney behemoth with an estimated $26.3 million.
While Beauty and the Beast was the clear choice throughout the week, The Boss Baby jumped back on top over the weekend. Down 47.6%, the Alec Baldwin comedy is playing beat for beat like 2015’s Home (-48.2%). Without any direct competition in the coming weeks, The Boss Baby could very well have a leggy run. It’s sophomore frame is a bit steeper than February’s The Lego Batman Movie (-38.4%). However, it’s difficult to compare with a holiday weekend factored in. At its current pace, we could be looking at a $165 million finish.
Trapped in that same spot as last weekend, Beauty and the Beast claimed second place once again. The Disney sensation dropped 44% this weekend, bringing in another $25 million. After four weeks in theaters, Beauty and the Beast has topped $432 million domestically. It’s now the 15th highest-grossing film domestically with still a few more notches to climb. Disney did release a Sing-Along version over the weekend. The interactive option has helped before with Frozen (-2%) and Moana (-8%). Disney is still hoping for a $500 million finish, but the climb is getting harder and harder. $475-510 million remains the window. It all depends whether it holds like Alice in Wonderland or The Jungle Book in the coming weeks.
What the Smurf just happened? Sony’s third attempt at the Smurfs ended up being their least successful. Smurfs: The Lost Village opened in third to $14 million. Compared to the 2011 live-action film starring Neil Patrick Harris, The Lost Village made a fraction of that film’s $35.6 million start. It’s more along the lines of 2013’s The Smurfs 2, which opened to $17.5 million. The Lost Village got rid of the live-action element, returning to the franchise’s animated roots. That wasn’t enough to draw in a crowd. With The Boss Baby and Beauty and the Beast continuing to dominate the box office, this might not have been the ideal weekend. Legs are still possible as the Sony reboot scored an A grade on CinemaScore.
Playing to the older crowds, Warner Bros.’ Going in Style debuted in fourth place with $12.5 million. It’s a modest hit for Alan Arkin, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine. All three actors have seen better, though most of time the trio lands supporting roles. The best comparison would be 2013’s Last Vegas, which opened up to $16.3 million. Mixed reviews from critics and a B+ grade on CinemaScore should keep the elderly comedy afloat for a few more weeks. An okay finish around $35 million is possible.
Rounding out the weekend is Paramount’s cyberpunk adaptation, Ghost in the Shell. The Scarlett Johansson vehicle fell 60.6% in its second weekend, pulling in another $7.4 million. The $110 million production is certainly a major loss for Paramount. Mixed reviews plus the casting controversy haven’t helped the cause. As it’s quickly becoming a ghost at the box office, Ghost in the Shell may wind up with a disappointing $45 million finish.
Note: These #’s are based on Sunday’s projections and can change with Monday’s actual #’s.
#1 – The Boss Baby (1)
$26.3 million / $89.4 million total
#2 – Beauty and the Beast (2)
$25.0 million / $432.3 million total
#3 – Smurfs: The Lost Village (NR)
$14.0 million / $14.0 million total
#4 – Going in Style (NR)
$12.5 million / $12.5 million total
#5 – Ghost in the Shell (3)
$7.4 million / $31.6 million total
Opening Next Week: The Fate of the Furious
Source: Box Office Mojo
