Clint Eastwood’s new film, Sully came in first place at the weekend box office.
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On January 15, 2009, pilot Chelsey “Sully” Sullenberger III successfully landed US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River after a flock of geese disabled both of the aircraft’s engines.
When the Bough Breaks, starring Morris Chestnut and Regina Hall, was another major opening. Eastwood’s film is presented out-of-sequence, opening with the crash already having occurred and the investigation of Sullenberger (played by Hanks) and his co-pilot, Jeff Skiles (Aaron Eckhart) already underway.
Psychological thriller and fellow newcomer When the Bough Breaks also showed well, finishing at #2 with an estimated $15 million.
Audiences were 80 percent over 35 and 56 percent female.
“This is what the fall is all about – Oscar contenders, stories with some depth and gravitas – and Hanks and Eastwood delivered that”, says comScore senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian.
I predict Sully will retain the top spot at the box office next weekend even though it will face competition from four upcoming new releases.
“Sully” took in $9.5 million at 3,600 screens in 39 global markets, led by $2.3 million in Australia.
“Don’t Breathe” was in third place, with an estimated $8.2 million this weekend and $66.8 million in sales over three weeks of showings.
Meanwhile, The Wild Life, which tells the Robinson Crusoe story from the point of view of the island animals, opened at number five, with takings of $3.4m (£2.6m). The Light Between Oceans, starring Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander, tumbled 62 percent in its second weekend to $1.8 million for a $9.4 million cume.
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Warners’ Suicide Squad placed # 4 in its 6th weekend with $5.7-M for a North American take of $307.4-M. Though faring better in pure numbers, Kubo and the Two Strings and its $3.2 million is still struggling, and looking to be a financial bomb, though not a critical one.
