As moviegoers perhaps seek out a movie that won an Oscar, the bounce is not going to be a big one. Winning an Oscar can indeed boost a film. However, with the films nominated this year, they were not huge box office (besides “American Sniper”) winners. So, any attention they have now is a good thing. Some are creeping over the coveted $100 million mark, but it took some time getting there.
But, this weekend, the focus was on Will Smith and it looked more like a usual February or early March figure. In fact, “Focus” fell short and ended up on the low end of the estimates with a paltry $18.6 million. Margot Robbie also stars with Smith in a con game comedy, a story that fell flat with audiences.
But, it did take down “Fifty Shades of Grey.” The other new wide release, “The Lazarus Effect” did far worse with around $10.2 million. With the success of “Shades,” get ready for two more “Shades” movies.
Weekend
1. “Focus” – $18.6 million
2. “Kingsman: The Secret Service” – $11.8 million
3. “Spongebob: Sponge Out of Water” – $10.8 million
4. “Fifty Shades of Grey” – $10.5 million
5. “The Lazarus Effect” – $10.2 million
The real battle was for fourth and fifth and both films came in near each other so Sunday may answer who takes it in the end. Right now that is tight, so “Fifty Shades of Grey” and “The Lazarus Effect” may switch places. The latest “Spongebob” is still solid in third.
The lull may also be a weather issue again as many parts of the states are facing issues. But, that has been the case for the northeast all winter. Sometimes a cabin fever effect plays out, but not this weekend. In reality, this time of the year does this to the box office.
The box office is down from last year at this time but not overall, as “American Sniper” and “Fifty Shades of Grey” have lifted it so far this year. Meanwhile, the audience for “Focus,” noted The Wrap, was mostly female. “Focus” saw a 53 female crowd. Of that number, 88 percent were over the age of 25.
Can it last? One would say yes looking at the year as it unfolds, but there will be a lull for superhero movies and sequels coming. There has to be. Hollywood takes success and jumps on it so much, that a backslash and boredom does happen. So, which superhero bites the dust? Can sequels last forever?
On that note, “Kingsman: The Secret Service” seems to be under the radar as all talk has been on “Sniper” and “Shades,” and even those Oscar nominees. “Kingsman” has had a solid run so far.
