Movies
Box Office Recap: ‘Lucy’ Slays ‘Hercules’ With $44M
This weekend at the box office Scarlett Johansson’s action film Lucy overpowered Dwayne Johnson’s Hercules to take the No. 1 spot with $44 million.
Universal Pictures’ estimation of a $40 million opening weekend for the sci-fi film was exceeded as it debuted across 3,173 locations. Regardless of its top spot victory, moviegoers gave Lucy a poor C plus CinemeScore, and awarded its competitor Hercules a B plus.
Director Brett Ratner’s Hercules, based on the graphic novel “Hercules: The Thracian Wars,” scored $29 million over the weekend from 3,595 locations. Considering its $100 million product budget, it was a feeble debut for the Paramount film.
The story of the mythical son of Zeus scored a 63 percent “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, moderately higher than the 57 percent rating the drug-enhanced brain thriller received.
Lucy centers on a woman who gets injected with a drug that allows her to access the unused part of her brain. The R-rated film is the highest debut for Johansson outside of her roles in Marvel Universe films.
“Her bankability is beyond reproach and her street cred is beyond comparison,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Rentrak. “She can bounce gracefully between indie movies and esoteric movies and then rise to the top box office charts.”
After a solid two weeks in the top spot, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes fell down to No. 3 at the box office this weekend with $16.4 million. Following at No. 4 was The Purge: Anarchy with $9.9 million, and Planes: Fire & Rescue with $9.3 million.
See what films made the top 10 list at the box office this weekend by clicking “Next”!
10. A Most Wanted Man – $2.7 million
Film Synopsis
When a half-Chechen, half-Russian, brutally tortured immigrant turns up in Hamburg’s Islamic community, laying claim to his father’s ill-gotten fortune, both German and US security agencies take a close interest: as the clock ticks down and the stakes rise, the race is on to establish this most wanted man’s true identity – oppressed victim or destruction-bent extremist?
9. Tammy – $3.4 million
Film Synopsis
Tammy (Melissa McCarthy) is having a bad day. She’s totaled her clunker car, gotten fired from her thankless job at a greasy burger joint and, instead of finding comfort at home, finds her husband getting comfortable with the neighbor in her own house. It’s time to take her boom box and book it. The bad news is she’s broke and without wheels. The worse news is her grandma, Pearl (Susan Sarandon), is her only option-with a car, cash, and an itch to see Niagara Falls. Not exactly the escape Tammy had in mind. But on the road, with grandma riding shot gun, it may be just what Tammy needs.
8. And So It Goes – $4.6 million
Film Synopsis
There are a million reasons not to like realtor Oren Little (Michael Douglas), and that’s just the way he likes it. Willfully obnoxious to anyone who might cross his path, he wants nothing more than to sell one last house and retire in peace and quiet — until his estranged son suddenly drops off a granddaughter (Sterling Jerins) he never knew existed and turns his life upside-down. Clueless about how to care for a sweet, abandoned nine-year-old, he pawns her off on his determined and lovable neighbor Leah (Diane Keaton) and tries to resume his life uninterrupted. But little by little, Oren stubbornly learns to open his heart – to his family, to Leah, and to life itself – in this uplifting comedy from acclaimed director Rob Reiner.
7. Transformers: Age of Extinction – $4.6 million
Film Synopsis
Transformers: Age of Extinction begins after an epic battle left a great city torn, but with the world saved. As humanity picks up the pieces, a shadowy group reveals itself in an attempt to control the direction of history…while an ancient, powerful new menace sets Earth in its crosshairs. With help from a new cast of humans (led by Mark Wahlberg), Optimus Prime and the Autobots rise to meet their most fearsome challenge yet. In an incredible adventure, they are swept up in a war of good and evil, ultimately leading to a climactic battle across the world.
6. Sex Tape – $6.0 million
Film Synopsis
Jay (Jason Segel) and Annie (Cameron Diaz) are a married couple still very much in love, but ten years and two kids have cooled the passion. To get it back, they decide – why not? – to make a video of themselves trying out every position in THE JOY OF SEX in one marathon three-hour session. It seems like a great idea, until they discover that their most private video has gone public. In a panic, they begin a wild night of adventure – tracking down leads, roping in friends, duping Annie’s boss – all to reclaim their video, their reputation, their sanity, and, most importantly, their marriage.
5. Planes: Fire & Rescue – $9.3 million
Film Synopsis
When world-famous air racer Dusty learns that his engine is damaged and he may never race again, he must shift gears and is launched into the world of aerial firefighting. Dusty joins forces with veteran fire and rescue helicopter Blade Ranger and his team, a bunch of all-terrain vehicles known as The Smokejumpers. Together, the fearless team battles a massive wildfire, and Dusty learns what it takes to become a true hero.
4. The Purge: Anarchy – $9.9 million
Film Synopsis
The New Founders of America invite you to celebrate your annual right to Purge. The Purge: Anarchy, the sequel to summer 2013’s sleeper hit that opened to No. 1 at the box-office, sees the return of writer/director James DeMonaco to craft the next terrifying chapter of dutiful citizens preparing for their country’s yearly 12 hours of anarchy.
3. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes – $16.4 million
Film Synopsis
A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier. They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth’s dominant species.
2. Hercules – $29.0 million
Film Synopsis
Everyone knows the legend of Hercules and his twelve labors. Our story begins after the labors, and after the legend… Haunted by a sin from his past, Hercules has become a mercenary. Along with five faithful companions, he travels ancient Greece selling his services for gold and using his legendary reputation to intimidate enemies. But when the benevolent ruler of Thrace and his daughter seek Hercules’ help to defeat a savage and terrifying warlord, Hercules finds that in order for good to triumph and justice to prevail… he must again become the hero he once was… he must embrace his own myth… he must be Hercules.
1. Lucy – $44.0 million
Film Synopsis
From La Femme Nikita and The Professional to The Fifth Element, writer/director Luc Besson has created some of the toughest, most memorable female action heroes in cinematic history. Now, Besson directs Scarlett Johansson in Lucy, an action-thriller that tracks a woman accidentally caught in a dark deal who turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic.