Unseasonable weather partially affected this weekend's box office, but it still doesn't completely explain why “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Pt. 1” opened substantially less than “Catching Fire” last year. Sure, a $123 million debut over three days is nothing to sneeze at. That being said, it's $35 million less than “Catching Fire's” $158 million and even the firs “Hunger Games” made more with its $152 million debut in March of 2012. Granted, “Mockingjay” didn't have the benefit of IMAX screens for the first time, they are locked in for “Interstellar” until “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” arrives in December, but Lionsgate has to be somewhat concerned that too many YA movies in the marketplace might be contributing to franchise fatigue. The Francis Lawrence action adventure could make up for any domestic shortfall overseas, however.
Remaining at no. 2 is Walt Disney Animation's hit “Big Hero 6.” The loose adaptation of Marvel Comics' little known series found another $20 million for $135 million domestic in just 17 days. “Hero 6” will face its first serious family competition this week when DreamWorks Animations' “Penguins of Madagascar” hits theaters on Wednesday.
“Interstellar” took the fourth slot with another $15.1 million and $120.6 million so far. The Christopher Nolan Sci-Fi flick should end somewhere over $180 million when all is said and done.
Dropping to no. 4 was last week's champ, “Dumb and Dumber To.” The Farrelly Bros.' long awaited sequel was down an eyebrow raising 62% from its opening weekend for another $13.8 million for $57.4 million in just 10 days. Things won't get any easier for he Universal Pictures comedy which has its own competition on the horizon with “Horrible Bosses 2,” but its easily heading for a U.S. cume of $80 million plus.
“Gone Girl” continued its impressive run in fifth with another $2.8 million and $156 million to date.
New films hitting theaters for the Thanksgiving holiday frame include the aforementioned “Penguins of Madagascar” and “Horrible Bosses 2” in wide release and “The Imitation Game” in New York and Los Angeles.