Box Office: Sully Wins Again, Blair Witch Takes Second
The numbers are in, and it looks like Sully is still at the top box office spot. Not even the [...]
The numbers are in, and it looks like Sully is still at the top box office spot. Not even the release of films like Blair Witch or Snowden could shake the biopic from its lofty mantle.
Bringing in $22 million, Sully bolstered its total gross to more than $70 million in its second week. The film, which was directed by Clint Eastwood, opened to a cool $35.5 million. The lucrative debut made Sully the biggest September opening for Warner Bros. as well as the highest post-Labor Day opening for any film. Sully also had the best September opening for any theatrical drama.
Of course, much of the film's success was due to word of mouth. Fans have given Sully an 'A' CinemaScore and provided it with a 'Fresh' rating of 84% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Unexpectedly, it seems like Lionsgate struggled to find an audience of its release of Blair Witch. The much-anticipated film opened to $9.6 million this weekend, putting its gross well below those expected. Estimates had predicted Blair Witch to earn $21 million. However, the disappointing gross shouldn't hurt the studio's wallet too much as Blair Witch only cost $5 million to make.
Bridget Jones's Baby and Snowden came in at third and fourth respectively. Earning just over $8 million, the two new flicks have a way to go before they earn back their budgets of $35 and $40 million.
In fifth, the fan-favorite horror flick Don't Breathe earned $5.6 million; When the Bough Breaks earned $5.5 million; Suicide Squad raked in $4.7 million; The Wild Life pulled in over $2.6 million; Kubo and the Two Strings came in at ninth with $2.5 million; Pete's Dragon rounded out the top ten at over $2 million.
From Oscar-winning director Clint Eastwood (American Sniper, Million Dollar Baby) comes Warner Bros. Pictures' drama Sully, starring Oscar winner Tom Hanks (Bridge of Spies, Forrest Gump) as Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger.
On January 15, 2009, the world witnessed the "Miracle on the Hudson" when Captain "Sully" Sullenberger glided his disabled plane onto the frigid waters of the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 aboard. However, even as Sully was being heralded by the public and the media for his unprecedented feat of aviation skill, an investigation was unfolding that threatened to destroy his reputation and his career.
Sully stars Aaron Eckhart (The Dark Knight) as Sully's co-pilot, Jeff Skiles, and Oscar nominee Laura Linney (The Savages, Kinsey) as Sully's wife, Lorrie Sullenberger.
Sully is in theaters now.
[H/T] Box Office Mojo
