Critics have eviscerated it and it's become a running joke on numerous social media channels, but someone forgot to tell the American public they weren't allowed to buy tickets for “Transformers: Age of Extinction.” For 10 days, the Michael Bay sequel has ruled the box office. It grossed $36 million over the three-day weekend and taken in $174.7 million overall so far. All is not rosy with “Age of Extinction's” performance, however.”
At this point in the run of “Dark of the Moon,” the last installment had grossed $261 million. With “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” arriving on Friday and “Age of Extinction” already $86 behind “Dark of the Moon” it's hard to see this installment getting close to $300 million. Globally is a different story. With $575.6 million worldwide already, “Age of Extinction” still has a legitimate shot at matching the $1 billion worldwide tally of “Moon.”
Debuting at no. 2 is Melissa McCarthy's “Tammy.” The Warner Bros. comedy was polling at a $40 million five-day opening, but negative reviews and word of mouth absolutely had an affect as “Tammy” earned just $21.1 million for the three-day frame and $32.9 million since Wednesday. With a C+ Cinemascore review, it's actually impressive the film had a jump from July 4th to Saturday. The comedy cost reportedly $24 million so “Tammy” still has a shot to break even based on international grosses.
The second of three major releases this week is Screen Gems' “Deliver Us From Evil.” The studio and parent company Sony Pictures hoped “Evil” could be this years “Conjuring,” but the horror film inspired by true life events was a disappointment. “Deliver” took in just $9.5 million over the weekend has earned only $15 million since Wednesday. It looks like Screen Gems would have had a better shot opening this one later in the summer or in the fall.
“22 Jump Street” continued its impressive run in fourth earning another $9.4 million for $158.8 million to date. The Sony Pictures comedy has a slim shot at reaching $200 million, but it has passed “Neighbors” as the highest grossing comedy of the year so far.
Rounding out the top five is Dreamworks Animation's “How To Train Your Dragon 2.” The critically acclaimed sequel earned another $8.7 million for $140 million to date. At this point, a final gross of $180 million domestic would be the best DWA could hope for domestically. If the third “Dragon” is ever going to hit theaters international markets (and basically Europe) will have to fuel it to profitability. Keep your fingers crossed Toothless fans. It's gonna be close.
Also debuting this week was Relativity's “Earth to Echo.” The studio spent significantly on marketing, but weren't able to make “Echo” a priority to families. The film earned just $13.5 million since Wednesday, but at a cost of under $15 million won't be a massive loss for the company.
Outside the top 10, The Weinstein Company's “Begin Again” expanded to 175 theaters and took in an impressive $1.3 million or $7,520 per screen. The Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightley indie has taken in $1.8 million so far.
Also noteworthy numbers, “Fault in Our Stars” has now grossed $201 million worldwide, Jon Fraveau's “Chef” is now at $22 million and Fox Searchlight's drama “Belle” hit $10 million.