Pre-release polling suggested it would be a close call between newcomers “Magic Mike XXL” and “Terminator Genisys” and after one day tracking looks on target.
“Magic Mike XXL” took in $9.3 million on Wednesday while the fifth “Terminator” raked in $8.9 million. For comparison's sake, last year the Melissa McCarthy comedy “Tammy” opened to $6.2 million the Wednesday before July 4th and “Transformers: Age of Extinction,” in its third day, earned $7.7 million.
It's still unclear whether either new film will win the holiday frame. “Inside Out,” which crossed the $200 million mark Tuesday, or “Jurassic World,” the no. 1 movie of the year so far with over $514 million, could easily take the top spot.
One intriguing indicator of what will occur may be the handy Cinemascore ratings. “Magic Mike” earned an A- while “Genysis” polled at a B+. Critics have also been kinder to the Channing Tatum sequel awarding it a 60 on Metacritic and a 59% on Rotten Tomatoes. The latest “Terminator” earned just a 39 on Metacritic and a woeful 25% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes (both significantly lower than 2009's “Terminator Salvation”).
Look for box office updates all weekend long on HitFix.