By Jake Coyle, Film Writer
NEW YORK (AP) --The Kevin Hart comedy "Ride Along" continued to speed through a typically quiet box-office frame, while the monster thriller "I, Frankenstein" couldn't be roused from the dead.
Universal's buddy cop comedy "Ride Along," co-starring Ice Cube, cruised to the top of the box office again, taking in $21.2 million in its second weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday. The film last week set a January debut record, with $48.6 million over the three-day holiday weekend.
For the second weekend in a row, Universal claimed No. 1 and No. 2 at the box office, with the Afghanistan war film "Lone Survivor" earning $12.6 million in its fifth week. With a cumulative total of $93.6 million, the relatively inexpensive "Lone Survivor," starring Mark Wahlberg, will soon cross the $100 million mark.
"I, Frankenstein" had a sizable budget, estimated at $65 million, yet opened with just $8.3 million. Starring a beefed-up Aaron Eckhart as Mary Shelley's famous monster in a modern-day setting, the 3-D film wasn't screened for critics and came into the weekend with little buzz. Lakeshore Entertainment financed the film, which was distributed by Lionsgate.
With $13 million in overseas box office, "I, Frankenstein" could scare up better business internationally.
Two family films trailed "Ride Along" and "Lone Survivor." The animated squirrel comedy "The Nut Job" made $12.3 million in its second week for Open Road Films. Disney's juggernaut "Frozen" added $9 million for a 10-week domestic total of $347.8 million.
Several Oscar candidates sought to capitalize on their recent best-picture nominations. Expanding by a few hundred theaters were "Dallas Buyers Club" ($2 million, $20.4 million total), "12 Years a Slave" ($2 million, $45.5 million total), "Gravity" ($2 million, $261.2 million total), "Philomena" ($1 million, $25.8 million total) and "Nebraska" ($1.4 million, $11.6 million total). Also adding theaters was "August: Osage County," which earned $5 million, bringing its cumulative haul to $26.5 million.
Some of the biggest Oscar bounces were abroad, where several nominees still have countries to open in. Paramount's Oscar-nominated "The Wolf of Wall Street" led international business, with a robust $31 million. Fox Searchlight's "12 Years a Slave" has also proved unusually strong overseas for such an American story. It took in $8.3 million internationally over the weekend.
Hollywood will largely cede next weekend to the Super Bowl, except for new releases "Labor Day," starring Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin, and "That Awkward Moment, with Zac Efron and Michael B. Jordan.
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 Monday.
1. "Ride Along," $21.2 million ($750,000 international).
2. "Lone Survivor," $12.6 million ($275,000 international).
3. "The Nut Job," $12.3 million.
4. "Frozen," $9 million ($20.2 million international).
5. "Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit," $8.8 million ($14.3 million international).
6. "I, Frankenstein," $8.3 million ($13 million international).
7. "American Hustle," $7.1 million ($5 million international).
8. "August: Osage County," $5 million ($1.8 million international).
9. "The Wolf of Wall Street," $5 million ($31 million international).
10. "Devil's Due," $2.8 million ($2.2 million international).
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Estimated weekend ticket sales at international theaters (excluding the U.S. and Canada) for films distributed overseas by Hollywood studios, according to Rentrak:
1. "The Wolf of Wall Street," $31 million.
2. "Frozen," $20.2 million.
3. "Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit," $14.3 million.
4. "I, Frankenstein," $13 million.
5. "12 Years a Slave," $8.3 million.
6. "Miss Granny," $6.8 million
7. "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug," $5.6 million.
8. "American Hustle," $5 million.
(tie) "Despicable Me," $5 million.
(tie) "Hot Young Bloods," $5 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 Academyโs 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 Dragonโs two wins were for โThe Red Dragon and the Goldโ 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 โPart Six: Far,l Far Awayโ episode of Ahsoka.
The HPAโs 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: โCelebrated 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.โ
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