Newcomers ‘Pirates’ and ‘Baywatch’ Lead Weak Holiday Frame
In the weakest Memorial Day weekend since 1999, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales claimed some treasure over the frame. With an estimated 3-day total of $62.6 million and $77 million after four days, this is the franchise’s weakest debut to date.
Despite opening in first place, the latest Pirates film scored the franchise’s lowest opening since the 2003 original ($46.6 million). Adjusted for inflation a $68.4 million debut would even best Dead Men Tell No Tales. At one time, Pirates of the Caribbean was the main event of the summer season. Dead Man’s Chest even held the opening weekend record with a $135.6 million debut in 2006. Since then the franchise continues to open lower and lower. Was the six-year wait since On Stranger Tides too long? Do audiences still care about Captain Jack’s cartoonish antics. Well, the weekend numbers don’t lie. Critics weren’t too thrilled with a fifth go-around. The sequel scored a measly 31% on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences were more forgiving, grading Pirates an A- on CinemaScore. This may be the first film in the franchise to fall well below $200 million domestically.
Even with two major releases on the horizon this past weekend, Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 retained the second place spot. The intergalactic superhero sequel made $20.6 million from Friday to Sunday. $4.6 million was added to the cume on Monday. After four weeks in theaters, Guardians 2 has passed the 2014 original. Now at $338.5 million, Guardians 2 is now Marvel’s fifth-biggest film in their Cinematic Universe. DC’s Wonder Woman may cut into its leggy run next weekend. However, there’s a strong chance at Guardians breaking $375 million.
Like Pirates, Baywatch found itself beached over the Memorial Day weekend. The Dwayne Johnson, Zac Efron comedy opened to $18.6 million over the 3-day and $23 million over the 4-day frame. Opening a day earlier on Thursday only gave an additional $4.5 million lead. Despite star power from Johnson and Efron, audiences weren’t too keen on seeing the cult 90s TV show turned into a film. Critics heavily panned the crude and rude comedy with a 19% on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences were slightly more positive giving the film a B+ on CinemaScore. 21 Jump Street this is not.
In the biggest collapse of the holiday weekend, Alien: Covenant fell three spots in its second weekend. Barely holding onto the top spot last weekend, Fox’s sci-fi prequel-sequel fell over 70% in its 3-day weekend. Grossing $10.6 million in the standard weekend and another $2.6 million on Memorial Day, Covenant has reached $60 million. Despite being favored by critics, audiences weren’t up for the Prometheus and Alien hybrid. In 2012, Prometheus only dropped 59.4% in its second weekend. This free fall is more along the lines of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (-72.0%) or The Twilight Saga: New Moon (-70.0%). Both of those tentpoles couldn’t recover from such a frontloaded start. Alien: Covenant may see about $80 million in its future. Will it be enough to release the inevitable sequel?
Down two spots from last weekend, Warner Bros.’ Everything, Everything dropped 37.1% in its second frame. Pulling in $6 million over the 3-day weekend and $7.4 million over the 4-day holiday, Everything, Everything has reached $22.7 million. With a budget around $10 million, the romantic drama adaptation will have no problems making its money back. A finish around $30 million is certainly possible.
Note: These #’s are based on Monday’s projections and can change with Tuesday’s actual #’s.
#1 – Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (NR)
$62.6 million / $77.0 million / $77.0 million total
#2 – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2)
$20.6 million / $25.2 million / $338.5 million total
#3 – Baywatch (NR)
$18.6 million / $23.0 million / $27.6 million total
#4 – Alien: Covenant (1)
$10.6 million / $13.2 million / $60.0 million total
#5 – Everything, Everything (3)
$6.0 million / $7.4 million / $22.7 million total
Opening Next Week: Wonder Woman, Captain Underpants
Source: Box Office Mojo
