Universal’s R-rated Compton, the biopic about the groundbreaking hip-hop group N.W.A, produced for just $29 million, posted a best-ever opening for its director F. Gary Gray and overshadowed other rap movies like Eminem’s 8 Mile, which bowed to $51.2 million in 2002, and Notorious, the story of Notorious B.I.G.
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The Universal Picture sold more tickets than the next six movies combined this week, according to studio estimates gathered by Rentrak. Stewart’s Twilight fans don’t follow her anywhere (except maybe in the gossip columns) and Eisenberg isn’t a huge box office draw, so I can’t imagine AMERICAN ULTRA doing much damage at the weekend box office.
Two-time champ “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation” was a distant second with roughly $18 million in its third week for Paramount and the weekend’s other wide opener, “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.”, opened with $13.5 million in third place for Warner Bros.
To put that in perspective, “U.N.C.L.E.” cost around $80 million to make. “Not only did audiences clearly love the film, but critics were on board as well”. It features O’Shea Jackson Jr. playing his real-life father, Ice Cube, in his first starring role.
“Guy Ritchie made a terrific picture, but unfortunately it didn’t catch the audience this weekend”, said Jeff Goldstein, Warner Bros distribution executive vice president.
Fox’s “Fantastic Four” plummeted to $8 million to take the fourth place spot, while “The Gift” took fifth with $6.5 million.
Goldstein noted that they weren’t able to attract a significant younger audience, who are likely not familiar with the source material.
Given recent theater attacks, including a shooting in Antioch, Tennessee, some said they wanted to see more protection at the movies.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Rentrak.
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Final numbers are expected Monday.
