If you feel like this weekend is a bit of box office bummer, you’re not wrong. With just one week to go beforeStar Wars: The Force Awakenshits theatres, it would be surprising if any film was able to gain significant traction. Of course, someone’s got to try, and this week it fell to directorRon Howard’sIn the Heart of the Seato be overshadowed by the force on the horizon.
Based on the sinking of the whaling vessel Essex in 1820 (the real-life incident inspired Melville’s ‘Moby Dick’),In the Heart of the Seareunites Howard andChris Hemsworth. The pair last teamed for 2013’sRush, which opened with just over $10 million in its first wide frame.In the Heart of the Seawill claim more this weekend, though that’s hardly impressive given the new film’s higher theatre count, including 3D and IMAX screens.
On Friday the film earned an estimated $3.8 million from 3,103 locations, which was good enough for first place. Pre-release projections hadIn the Heart of the Seaopening between $15 and $17 million, but it now seems like $12 million may be its high-water mark. That’s just half whatRidley Scott’sExodus: Gods and Kingsearned on the same weekend last year – and that film is no one’s idea of an early holiday winner (to be fair,Exodusperformed much better internationally than it did in North America).
The real problem with a sub-par debut for Warner Bros.’ whaling feature is it will giveThe Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2a good shot at winning its fourth consecutive box office title. On Friday, the final chapter inThe Hunger Gamesseries earned an estimated $3.2 million from 3,651 locations (down from last weekend’s 4,086). Assuming the film sees a fourth-frame hold in-line with last year’sMockingjay –Part 1(-42%), Katniss is well within range of overtakingIn the Heart of the Seafor first place. Whichever film winds up on top, it’s likely to be close. Of course, when you’re dealing with grosses this small even a photo finish lacks drama.
Elsewhere in the top five,The Good Dinosaurearned a reported $2.25 million on Friday. The animated feature seems poised to make up for itssteep sophomore dropwith a projected $10 million third weekend. That would be much more familiar territory for Pixar, equaling a hold of about -34%. Last weekend’s surprise hitKrampusfell to fourth on Friday with an estimated $2.5 million. The horror-comedy should wind up with a bit more than $6 million in its sophomore frame. And finally,Creedcontinues to realize strong holds in its third frame, though it didn’t hurt that MGM/New Line added another 78 locations to its run.
Here’s Friday’s top five films, based on studio estimates:
In the Heart of the Sea
$3,845,000
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 2
$3,260,000
$2,985,000
$2,530,000
The Good Dinosaur
$2,252,000
