Movies
Box Office Recap: Clint Eastwood’s ‘Sully’ Soars To No. 1
Clint Eastwood’s heroic biopic Sully soared past the competition at the box office to finish in first place with an outstanding $35.5 million from domestic 3,525 locations – more than what analysts predicted.
The action-adventure, starring Tom Hanks as Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, tells the true story of US Airways Flight 1549, which had to make an emergency landing in 2009. The incident came to be known as the “Miracle on the Hudson,” with Sully becoming an instant hero.
READ MORE Behind The Scenes: On The Set Of Clint Eastwood’s ‘Sully’
“This is what the fall is all about – Oscar contenders, stories with some depth and gravitas – and Hanks and Eastwood delivered that,” said comScore senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian. He also illustrated that more than 39 percent of attendees went to see the film solely for Hanks himself. “If Tom Hanks ran for president, he’d win,” added Dergarabedian. “He has developed such a reputation, consistently doing great work and instilling in the audience a really warm feeling.”
Sully received the best reviews from critics (84 percent “fresh” Rotten Tomatoes score), in comparison to its competitors. Audience members – who were 80 percent over the age of 35 and 56 percent female – gave the film an A CinemaScore.
The weekend’s other wide releases included When The Bough Breaks, The Wild Life and The Disappointments Room.
Sony’s When the Bough Breaks, starring Regina Hall and Morris Chestnut, debuted in second place with $15 million from 2,246 theaters. The film tells the story of a couple who desperately want a baby and so hire a surrogate, played by Jaz Sinclair, who becomes obsessed with the husband.
READ MORE Regina Hall: ‘When the Bough Breaks’ Role Was Draining
While it received a depressing 0 percent “fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, moviegoers – made up of 62 percent female and 61 percent over the age of 25 – were much more fond of the drama (B CinemaScore). Bough is “an example of a guilty pleasure not chasing Oscar,” said Dergarabedian. “These films never get critical acclaim, but they don’t need it. They’re looking for dollars and they get them.”
Don’t Breathe fell to third place with $8.2 million after dominating the top spot for two weeks, while fourth place went to Suicide Squad with $5.7 million. To date, the supervillain flick has accumulated $307.4 million domestically. Rounding out the top five is The Wild Life with $3.4 million at 2,493 locations, earning a bleak 15 percent “fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes and a B-minus CinemaScore.
Flopping majorly is Kate Beckinsale’s horror movie The Disappointments Room, which landed in 17th place at the box office with $1.4 million. It holds a D CinemaScore (a score rarely ever given) and a 0 percent “fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes.
“This is a movie that really couldn’t get a leg up on any front,” Dergarabedian says. “It’s definitely a disappointment, no question.”
Top 10 Films at Weekend Box Office: September 9-11
- Sully — $35.5 million
- When The Bough Breaks — $15 million
- Don’t Breathe — $8.2 million
- Suicide Squad — $5.7 million
- The Wild Life — $3.4 million
- Kubo And The Two Strings — $3.2 million
- Pete’s Dragon — $2.94 million
- Bad Moms — $2.8 million
- Hell Or High Water — $2.6 million
- Sausage Party — $2.3 million