Haters gonna hate, butPaul Feig’s all-femaleGhostbustersreboot has taken the lead at the Friday box office, bringing in a cool $17.2 million. Though that’s not a huge number, especially given its $144 million budget, Feig’s movies tend to be slow burns at the box office, with a lot of sustaining power. This opening is also the biggest for both Feig and star (and frequent collaborator)Melissa McCarthy, and so far is staying on track with predictions.
Still, it looks likeGhostbusterswill likely be overtaken by Universal’sThe Secret Life of Petsfor the weekend. Though it’s currently in second place, it has shown some powerful growth since its premiere. As Adam Chitwood pointed out last week with his Friday box office report, it’s good to be an animated movie this summer. With a dearth of live-action tentpole films at the moment, kid-oriented flicks are dominating. LikeThe Secret Life of Pets,Finding Doryalso continued to make gains this week, adding to a huge overall amount that shows a wide and profitable appeal.
The one kids movie that hasn’t been doing well, though, isThe BFG, which has brought in a mere $44 million so far, and only a little over $1 million on Friday. ASteven Spielbergmovie tanking? Maybe it’s time westopped taking him for granted.
Elsewhere on the box office chart, thoughWoody Allen’sCafe Societyonly opened in a handful of theaters, it did very well in each, with a strong average that portends well (possibly) for wider release.The Infiltrator, too, is showing some decent numbers for a small dramatic film, the kind that we honestly need a lot more of.
Take a look at Friday’s estimates for the Top 10 below, and check back tomorrow for full weekend estimates. What are you seeing this weekend? Sound off in the comments.
Friday Estimate
Ghostbusters
$17,200,000
The Secret Life of Pets
$15,060,000
Finding Dory
$3,306,000
The Legends of Tarzan
$3,270,000
Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates
$2,350,000
The Purge: Election Year
$1,960,000
Central Intelligence
$1,560,000
The Infiltrator
$1,485,000
$1,129,000
