Weekend Estimates: Sin City Bombs
August 24, 2014
Even though it is nine years since original movie opened with $29 million and topped a fairly lackluster April weekend, few predicted going into the Summer that Sin City: A Dame to Kill For would finish in 8th place on debut. In spite of little competition the neo-noir thriller will post about $6.5 million from 2,894 theaters, putting it in third place among the openers. Tearjerker If I Stay is the best new release this weekend, with an expected $16.35 million from 2,907 theaters, for a very respectable average of $5,600. It will be third overall behind Guardians of the Galaxy, which will pass $250 million today, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which falls to second place with $16.8 million this weekend and $145 million in total. With a little over $1 million separating the top three, it’s conceivable that the order could change when final results are reported on Monday.
When the Game Stands Tall is the third new wide release, and it will land in fifth place with a respectable $9 million. The low budget, faith-based, drama should make a handsome profit, although its international prospects are limited.
Among returning films, Boyhood continues to show excellent legs, and should continue playing into the Fall. The Hundred-Foot Journey is also looking good, at 22% down in its third weekend. It might struggle to keep in theaters going forwards, however.
The end-of-Summer feel to the chart extends to the limited releases, with Love is Strange the notable exception. It is expected to bring in about $126,500 in five theaters for an average North of $25,000. Also playing very well is The Trip to Italy, which expanded to 10 theaters this weekend and will maintain an average over $10,000 for IFC Films. With Boyhood earning excellent money, the indie distributor is enjoying their best year since My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Y Tu Mamá También broke out in 2002.
Bruce Nash bruce.nash@the-numbers.com
Filed under: Weekend Estimates, If I Stay, Guardians of the Galaxy, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, When the Game Stands Tall, The Hundred-Foot Journey, The Trip to Italy, Boyhood, Love is Strange