The box office results for the weekend of January 27th – 29th sees a pack wolves fighting for the top spot. But it was a mismatch. The Grey was able to out flank Underworld: Awakening, and at the same time, kept all the other newbies at bay. Here are the studio estimates:
1. The Grey ($20.5 million)
2. Underworld: Awakening ($12.5 million)
3. One for the Money ($11.7 million)
4. Red Tails ($10.4 million)
5. Man on a Ledge ($8.2 million)
6. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close ($7.1 million)
7. The Descendants ($6.5 million)
8. Contraband ($6.5 million)
9. Beauty and Beast 3D ($5.3 million)
10. Haywire ($4 million)
Analysis
Coming in with a cool $20 million production budget, The Grey has given Open Road Films its first #1 hit. The young studio – backed by AMC and Regal Entertainment respectively – has to be pleased with not only the financials, but how the lovely critics and audiences have responded with numerous lauds. With a weak release schedule over the next couple weeks, Liam Neeson’s latest should be able to solidify itself as the year’s first true Sleeper Hit.
The production figures for One for the Money have not been released as of the writing of this report, so its tough to gauge how the debut is doing. That said, Katherine Heigl has been a reliable box office treat for studios. And with that said, the reviews have been terrible; but this is a common theme for a Heigl flick.
Man on a Ledge may have whomever greenlit this sucker feeling the urge to jump. With a $42 million production budget, the terrible reviews, and a piss-poor opening; this is not only on Flop Alert…it’s a flop. Period. Sam Worthington’s box office predictability is always all over the spectrum.
Last week’s releases (Underworld: Awakening, Haywire, and Red Tails) all experienced about a 50% drop. Look for Red Tails to break away from this pack and hang around longer over the next two weeks.
This Friday, Big Miracle, Chronicle and The Woman in Black kick-off the February releases. Friday and Saturday will be key for these guys, since the Super Bowl will kill Sunday’s totals. Reviews will be right here my fellow Shockers!
By Joe Belcastro
