Kingsman: The Secret Service Earns $1.4M Thursday Night

Kingsman: The Secret Service pulled in $1.4 million for its Thursday night debut at the box office, making it the second best-selling movie of the night.

The comic book adaptation, based on Mark Millar's and Dave Gibbons' The Secret Service, follows a clandestine spy agency that must protect the world from a global terrorist bent on destroying humanity. Directed by Matthew Vaughn (The director of Kick Ass and X-Men: First Class) Kingsman: The Secret Service is expected to earn more than $25 million over the four-day weekend. Be sure to check our our review of the movie, here.

Kingsman placed second to 50 Shades of Grey, another R-rated adaptation based on EL James' S&M novel. That film, which earned $8.6 million across 2,830 theaters, is now Universal Pictures' highest-grossing Thursday night film yet. According to The Hollywood Reporter, that distinction was previously held by Fast and Furious 6, which earned $6.5 million on its Thursday night opener. But despite the strong box-office showing, 50 Shades has yet to generate many positive reviews. It currently has a 30% "Rotten" rating on Rotten Tomatoes. For ComicBook.com's take on the film, head here.

Kingsman: The Secret Service is now open in theaters everywhere.