It was expected that “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and “Guardians of the Galaxy” would weather the storm of three new releases to remain at the top of the box office. No one expected, however, that “The Expendables 3,” “The Giver” and “Let's Be Cops!” would disappoint so dramatically.
Remaining no. 1 for the second weekend in a row was Paramount's reboot of “TMNT.” The comedy adventure earned another $28.4 million for $117.6 million in just 10 days. With over $185 million already globally, “TMNT” came just in time to make up for the loses on another Paramount summer release, “Hercules.” It's also possible “Turtles” could keep the top spot next weekend when the only competition is “Sin City: A Dame to Kill For.”
Still going strong at no. 2 is Marvel's “Guardians of the Galaxy.” With another $24.7 million, the James Gunn adventure has crossed the $200 million mark with $222.2 million to date. “Guardians” is still on track to becoming the no. 1 grosser of the year so far (at least until “Interstellar” and “Mockingjay, Pt. 1” arrive), but reaching $300 million may now be out of the question.
Coming in at no. 3 for the weekend is 20th Century Fox's “Let's Be Cops!” The Damon Wayans, Jr. and Jake Johnson comedy pulled in $17.7 million over the three day which gives the flick $26.1 million since its Wednesday debut. At a reported budget of just $17 million “Cops” should eventually become slightly profitable for the studio, but it's hard to imagine the duo reuniting for a sequel. Especially after it earned just a tepid B Cinemascore with moviegoers.
Fourth place went to Lionsgate's “The Expendables 3” which took in just $16.2 million. That was almost $10 million lower than pre-release projections and $12 million less than “The Expendables 2” debut just two years ago. Financier Millennium Films and Lionsgate will hope for more potent returns internationally where the last installment grossed over $200 million.
Disappointing in fifth place was the long awaited adaptation of Lois Lowry's “The Giver.” The star power of Meryl Streep and Jeff Bridges couldn't help the post apocalyptic Young Adult novel (which was written 15 years before “The Hunger Games” or “Divergent”) break out. The result was just $12.7 million, significantly lower than the $18-20 million some pre-release polling indicated just a week ago. The Weinstein Company, like Lionsgate with “Step Up All In,” released “The Giver” in the summer when more kids are out of school. However, with many schools beginning Monday or already in session in many parts of the country this might have been a less ideal release frame than anticipated. A late October date — which would be at least four weeks out from “The Maze Runner” — could have provided less competition and distractions.
“Boyhood” added 265 theaters for a technically nationwide run of 771 in its sixth week. The film earned another $2.1 million for $13.8 million to date. While a final take of slightly more than $20 million domestic still seems likely, many have to question whether the filmmakers and IFC Films made a mistake not capitalizing on the strong word of mouth, publicity and social media buzz when the film was first released. If “Boyhood” had gone wider earlier it could be looking at a final tally of $30 million plus.
New films opening Friday include the previously mentioned “Frank Miller's Sin City: A Dame to Kill For,” “If I Stay” and “When the Game Stands Tall.”