By Sandy Cohen, Entertainment Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --Seth Rogen and Zac Efron have bested the web-slinger at the box office.
Rogen and Efron's family-versus-fraternity comedy "Neighbors," was the top draw for moviegoers this weekend, unseating last week's champ, "The Amazing Spider-Man 2."
The R-rated "Neighbors" debuted with $51 million in ticket sales, pushing Spidey to second place with $37 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.
"Sustaining a No. 1 ranking is generally tougher in the summer than any other time of year," said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for box-office tracker Rentrak. "You don't expect a comedy to be able to unseat an epic blockbuster, but historically it happens more than you think."
R-rated comedies have traditionally found success in the summer movie season: Think "Bridesmaids," ''The Hangover," 2012's "Ted" and last year's "The Heat."
"Neighbors" stars Rogen and Rose Byrne as new parents finding their footing in the suburbs when a fraternity led by Efron moves in next door. Filled with goofball and gross-out gags balanced with a dash of heart, the comedy boasts some epic party scenes and ample shirtless Efron.
The Universal release earned a "fresh" rating from review aggregator RottenTomatoes.com, with 74 percent of film critics responding favorably to the film. Conversely, Sony's "Amazing Spider-Man 2" earned a "rotten" rating of 54 percent.
Spidey is still a major success, with more than $550 million in worldwide ticket sales so far.
"Spider-Man has nothing to worry about," Dergarabedian said.
Another comedy, the Cameron Diaz-Leslie Mann revenge romp "The Other Woman" held onto third place in its third week of release, adding $9 million to its take. "Heaven Is for Real" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" round out the top five.
___
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Rentrak. Where available, latest international numbers are also included. Final domestic figures will be released on Monday.
1. "Neighbors," $51 million ($34.4 million international).
2. "The Amazing Spider-Man 2," $37.2 million ($69.5 million international).
3. "The Other Woman," $9.25 million ($13.1 million international).
4. "Heaven Is for Real," $7 million.
5. "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," $5.6 million ($3.5 million international).
6. "Rio 2," $5.1 million ($14.1 million international).
7. "Moms' Night Out," $4.2 million.
8. "Legends of Oz," $3.7 million.
9. "Divergent," $1.7 million ($3 million international).
10. "Brick Mansions," 1.3 million.
___
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at international theaters (excluding the U.S. and Canada), according to Rentrak:
1. "The Amazing Spider-Man 2," $69.5 million.
2. "Neighbors," $34.4 million.
3. "Rio 2," $14.1 million.
4. "The Other Woman," $13.1 million.
5. "Qu'est ce qu'on a fait au Bon Dieu?!" $10 million.
6. "Frozen," $7.1 million.
7. "My Old Classmate," $6 million.
8. "The Great Hypnotist," $5.2 million.
9. "The Fatal Encounter," $5 million.
10. "The Target," $4.7 million.
“Dune: Part Two” and “House of the Dragon” Win 2 HPA Awards Apiece
Dune: Part Two and House of the Dragon each scored two HPA Awards during a gala ceremony at the Television Academy’s Wolf Theatre in North Hollywood, Calif. on Thursday night (11/7). The HPA Awards honor trailblazing talent in the postproduction industry, celebrating standout achievements in color grading, sound, editing, restoration, and visual effects across theatrical features, commercials, and episodics.
Dune: Part Two topped the Outstanding Color Grading--Live Action Theatrical Feature and the Outstanding Sound--Theatrical Feature categories.
House of the Dragon’s two wins were for “The Red Dragon and the Gold” episode which scored for Outstanding Visual Effects--Live Action Episode or Series Season, and Outstanding Editing--Episode or Non-Theatrical Feature (Over 30 Minutes). In the latter HPA Creative Category, House of the Dragon tied with the “Part Six: Far,l Far Away” episode of Ahsoka.
The HPA’s Judges Award for Creativity and Innovation honored Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour. This recognition celebrates the profound impact on both live and filmed entertainment that defined The Eras Tour, underscoring its exceptional impact on audiences and the industry. The jury issued a statement outlining their choice: “Celebrated as the cultural phenomenon of 2023, Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour set new records in box office sales, tour revenues, and attendance. The tour showcased exceptional artistry and innovation, making a profound impact on both live and filmed entertainment.”
This year, FotoKem was awarded the Charles S. Swartz Award for its role in supporting filmmakers, studios, cinematographers, and artists across diverse film and media landscapes. Also celebrated... Read More