As expected, Marvel Studios and Disney’s Avengers: Age of Ultron won the weekend box office with an exceptional domestic debut of $187.7 million from 4,276 locations and has totaled to $626.7 million worldwide.
Directed and written by Joss Whedon, Age of Ultron features original cast members Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk, Chris Evans as Captain America and Scarlett Johansson as the Black Widow.
While the superhero sequel fell somewhat shorter than what analysts previously predicted, it ranks as the second biggest debut of all time, behind 2012’s Avengers. It is likely that Saturday night’s Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao fight hurt Ultron just a bit.
“It felt the impact,” said Phil Contrino, vice president and chief analyst at BoxOffice.com. “Saturday is usually a big day and those time slots are when a lot of people would go see it.”
While Friday’s results were strong, with the film raking in $84.5 million, more than its predecessor with $80.8 million, Saturday’s results paled in comparison. Ultron topped out at $57.2 million, slightly less than the $69.6 million the first film achieved.
“It’s not so much everyone wanted to see the fight,” said Frank Rodriguez, senior vice president of distribution at Fox Searchlight. “There were parties everywhere for the Kentucky Derby and other things. There was just so much activity. It was a tough weekend overall.”
Audience members, who were predominately 59 percent males and 60 percent over the age of 25, rated the film an A CinemaScore, while critics gave it a 75 percent “fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Blake Lively’s romantic fantasy Age of Adaline landed in the second spot on the charts with $6.3 million after falling 53 percent in its sophomore weekend. Thus far, the film has accumulated $23.4 million domestically.
After dominating the box office for four weeks straight, Furious 7 fell to the third spot with an additional $6.1 million, bringing its stateside plunder to $330.5 million. The action sequel has accumulated $1.4 billion worldwide, becoming the fourth highest-grossing film of all time.
Following in fourth and fifth place at the box office is the Sony’s Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 and DreamWorks Animation’s Home, earning $5.6 million and $3.3 million, respectively. The comedy feature has accumulated $51.2 million domestically, while the latter animated flick rounded out to $158.1 million domestically.
Top 10 Films at Weekend Box Office: May 1-3
- Avengers: Age of Ultron — $187.7 million
- Age of Adaline — $6.3 million
- Furious 7 — $6.1 million
- Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 — $5.6 million
- Home — $3.3 million
- Cinderella — $2.4 million
- Ex Machina — $2.2 million
- Unfriended — $1.9 million
- The Longest Ride — $1.7 million
- Woman In Gold — $1.6 Million
