By Lindsey Bahr, Film Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --The Smurfs are feeling a little blue this weekend.
The third installment in Sony's animated series, "Smurfs: The Lost Village," made its box-office debut in third place, with $14 million – far behind family-friendly holdovers "The Boss Baby" and "Beauty and the Beast," according to studio estimates Sunday.
Featuring the voices of Demi Lovato and Joe Manganiello, "Smurfs," which reportedly cost $60 million to make, has not charmed critics either. Its earnings were worse than the 2013 opening of "Smurfs 2," which went on to gross $347.5 million worldwide despite a $17.5 million debut and a heftier $105 million price tag.
But the fate of the third "Smurfs" is not necessarily sealed, says ComScore's senior media analyst, Paul Dergarabedian.
"There are other revenue streams for films like this," Dergarabedian said, noting international profits and home video potential that could recoup production costs.
In first place, "The Boss Baby" added $26.3 million in its second weekend in theaters, bringing its North American total to $89.4 million. Sufficient buzz and the benefit of voice star Alec Baldwin's popular portrayal of President Donald Trump on "Saturday Night Live" likely helped the film succeed, Dergarabedian said.
Meanwhile, "Beauty and the Beast" earned $25 million to take second place at the box office. In four weeks, Disney's live-action fairy tale has brought in $432.3 million domestically.
While the family films dominated, moviegoers had other options on a relatively quiet weekend. The tepidly reviewed buddy comedy "Going in Style," starring Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Alan Arkin, opened in fourth place, with $12.5 million.
The faith-based drama "The Case for Christ" also launched with $3.9 million from 1,174 theaters.
In limited release, the Chris Evans drama "Gifted" took in $476,000 from 56 theaters, while the World War II drama "Their Finest" grossed $77,000 from four screens in New York and Los Angeles.
The relative quiet at the box office is ending soon. "The Fate of the Furious," the eighth installment in "The Fast and the Furious" franchise, speeds into theaters next weekend, followed by "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" a few weeks later.
"There are a lot of box-office heavyweights looming on the horizon," Dergarabedian said.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to comScore. Where available, the latest international numbers for Friday through Sunday also are included. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.
1."The Boss Baby," $26.3 million ($37.5 million international).
2."Beauty and the Beast," $25 million ($36.1 million international).
3."Smurfs: The Lost Village," $14 million ($22 million international).
4."Going in Style," $12.5 million ($4.3 million international).
5."Ghost in the Shell," $7.4 million ($41.3 million international).
6."Power Rangers," $6.2 million ($6.1 million international).
7."Kong: Skull Island," $5.8 million ($16 million international).
8."Logan," $4.1 million ($2.7 million international).
9."Get Out," $4 million ($2 million international).
10."The Case for Christ," $3.9 million.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at international theaters (excluding the U.S. and Canada), according to comScore:
1. "Ghost in the Shell," $41.3 million.
2. "The Boss Baby," $37.5 million.
3. "Beauty and the Beast," $36.1 million.
4. "Smurfs: The Lost Village," $22 million.
5. "Kong: Skull Island," $16 million.
6. "The Devotion of Suspect X," $9.1 million.
7. "Power Rangers," $6.1 million.
8. "Life," $5.8 million.
9. "Going in Style," $4.3 million.
10. "Extraordinary Mission," $3.6 million.
Sinners and Saints Adds Apple Pie To Its Branded Menu
Bicoastal Sinners and Saints--the multidisciplinary studio overseen by managing director/executive producer Heather Heller, and partners/EPs Yann Henric and Thomas Carroll--has added Apple Pie Tabletop to its roster for branded content. Known for its food and beverage content creation, Apple Pie comprises the husband-and-wife team of director/DP Gene Dubin and director/art director Alisa Volodina. In addition to representation, the move expands Apple Pie’s production capabilities through the combination of its centrally located full-service studio in New York and a newly established mobile studio in Los Angeles. Apple Pie recently teamed with Sinners and Saints on a Wienerschnitzel project created by Innocean.
“We believe that our dual studio strategy positions us uniquely in the competitive landscape of food and beverage storytelling,” said Heller. “By blending the artistry of the New York studio with the flexibility of our Los Angeles location, we can tailor our productions to meet the unique demands of each project, regardless of geography.”
“Working with Sinners and Saints in the demanding field of tabletop was an absolute pleasure,” shared Apple Pie Tabletop in a joint statement. “Warm welcome, unwavering support and dedication--everything a director can ask for. The entire experience was both enjoyable and rewarding. We will not miss an opportunity to collaborate with them again.”
“The first thing you notice is that Apple Pie has beautiful work,” Heller observed. “Having worked with them, I can say that Gene and Alisa are extremely meticulous and detail-oriented; their combination of talent and agility appeals to agencies and clients.” Also appealing to Heller is Apple Pie Tabletop’s brisk international... Read More