Hollywood appears to finally have a $100 million opener this summer. After both “Godzilla” and “Amazing Spider-Man 2” debuted in the low $90 million range, “X-Men: Days of Future Past” should easily surpass nine figures with an impressive $36 million on Friday.
20th Century Fox not only rebooted the “X-Men” timeline creatively, but they have returned the franchise to the financial returns last seen with 2006's “X-Men: The Last Stand” which took $102 million over the four-day. While higher ticket prices make that slightly less impressive than it initially seems, the expected $110-115 million opening is a monster jump from the $55 million “X-Men: First Class” earned just three years ago. There won't be much rest for the weary, however. “X-Men: DoFP” will face Angelina Jolie's “Maleficent” next weekend which is looking at a very potent debut.
Dropping to no. 2 was last weekend's champ “Godzilla.” The Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. release took in another $8.8 million for $126 million to date. With an estimated $35-40 million over the holiday frame, “Godzilla” is on track to peter out just around $200 million domestic.
Things were not as rosy in the third slot where the third pairing of Adam Sander and Drew Barrymoore came in seriously under projections. “Blended” found just $4.4 million and what should be a $15-18 million four-day. Sandler and Barrymoore last movie together, “50 First Dates,” opened to $39.8 million over 10 years ago.
Universal's hit comedy “Neighbors” wasn't far behind “Blended” taking in $4.2 million as it crossed the $100 million mark with nearly $104 million in its first 15 days. At this point, “Neighbors” has an excellent shot of surpassing star Seth Rogen's previous high grosser, “Knocked Up,” which hit $148 million.
“Amazing Spider-Man 2” took fifth with just $2 million and $179 million to date. The drop off has been swift for Marc Webb's sequel with there being little chance of it coming close to “Amazing Spider-Man's” $262 million take. Sony Pictures will have to take solace in the fact “ASM2” has taken in over $640 million worldwide.
In limited release, Jon Favreau's “Chef” expanded nicely in 498 theaters and should take $2-2.4 million for the holiday weekend.
Look for continuing box office updates all Memorial Day Weekend on HitFix.