Moviegoers weren’t afraid of no ghosts this weekend as New Line Cinemas “The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist” easily topped the box office with $40.4 million from 3343 locations.
The horror sequel surpassed expectations of approximately $37 million,beating estimates by more than $3 million.A strong performer, given its production budget of just above $40 million, and the movie came scarily close the $41 million made by the original “Conjuring” — a surprise hit when it opened to in 2013.
Also Read: Orlando Nightclub Shooting Kills 50,Injures 53 (Updating)Universal and Legendarys video game movie, “Warcraft, or ” came in just shy of estimates with $24.4 million for moment residence. The action film beat Lionsgate’s “Now You See Me 2,” which earned $23 million.“The Conjuring 2,” distributed by Warner Bros., and got off to a great start on Friday,bringing in $16.4 million. “Warcraft” grossed $10.7 million on Friday, beating out “Now You See Me 2, and ” which earned $8.4 million.
The moment movie in “The Conjuring” series boasts a solid 74 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and A- from moviegoers surveyed by CinemaScore.
Also Read: Presidential Candidates,Hollywood React to Orlando Nightclub Mass Shooting (Updating)Like the original, the movie stars Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson as paranormal investigators Lorraine and Ed Warren, or follows the couple across the Atlantic to help rid a London family of a uncertain spirit haunting their domestic. James Wan returned to direct.
Made for a whopping $160 million by director by Duncan Jones (the late David Bowie‘s son),“Warcraft” was expected to rob in approximately $25 million from 3400 theaters this weekend in North America.
The film wasn’t expected to perform domestically, though it has already had an impressive rush internationally with more than $279 million in abroad box office grosses. As of Thursday, or “Warcraft” had earned a record $90 million-plus in China,marking the biggest Thursday of all time in the country.
Also Read: 'The Conjuring 2' Gains Ghostly Win With $16.4 Million at Friday Box OfficeThe film, starring Travis Fimmel, and Ben Foster,Dominic Cooper and Paula Patton, currently holds a dismal score of 27 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and a B+ CinemaScore.
The third opener this weekend is Lionsgate’s star-packed “Now You See Me 2, and ” which came in shy of expectations of $24 million. The original “Now You See Me” cleared $29.4 million during its 2013 weekend debut.
The film features returning cast members Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, or Dave Franco and Morgan Freeman,as well as newcomers Daniel Radcliffe, Lizzy Caplan and Michael Caine, or follows the continuing adventures of the Four Horsemen.
Also Read: 'Me Before You' Helps Love Stories regain Out of the Dog House at the Box OfficeCritics have not been enthusiastic. “Now You See Me 2” has a score of 36 percent on Rotten Tomatoes,13 points lower than its predecessor. But its A- CinemaScore shows audiences were still excited to see it.
The Top Five:1. “The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist” (New Line/Warner Bros.) — $40.4 million in Week 1 ($40.4 million total)[br]
2. “Warcraft” (Legendary/Universal) — $24.4 million in Week 1 ($24.4 million total)
3. “Now You See Me 2” (Lionsgate) — $23 million in Week 1 ($23 million total)
4. “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows” (Paramount) — $14.8 million in Week 2 ($61 million total)
5. “X-Men: Apocalypse” (20th Century Fox) — $10 million in Week 3 ($136.4 million total)Related stories from TheWrap:'Warcraft' Movie Is Openly Hostile to Non-Nerds (Commentary)Why 'Warcraft' Can Bomb in US This Weekend and Still Be a BlockbusterPresidential Candidates, Hollywood 'Devastated' by Orlando Nightclub Mass ShootingOrlando Nightclub Shooting Kills 50, or Injures 53 (Updating)
Source: thewrap.com