Universal’s cheap horror film production The Purge scared audiences and surprised Hollywood this weekend, grossing well over expectations. Meanwhile overseas, Will Smith’s After Earth has started to takeoff, despite flopping at home.
The Purge cost just $3 million to make and its only stars are Ethan Hawke and Game of Thrones’ Lena Headey. The film grossed a stunning $3.4 million in late Thursday and midnight screenings, already earning back its budget. According to The Wrap, the film finished the weekend with $36.3 million, which was more than enoguh to top Universal’s bigger production, Fast & Furious 6.
Fast 6 grossed $19.7 million in its third weekend and is now past the $200 million mark. Star Trek Into Darkness also hit $200 million, adding $11.7 million in its fourth weekend.
Now You See Me continues to impress, grossing another $19.5 million. It’s up to $61.3 million after two weeks.
Meanwhile, The Internship did about as well as expected, grossing $18.1 million. The Fox production reteams Wedding Crashers stars Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson as they intern at Google.
Epic came in fifth with $12.1 million.
While After Earth is only up to $46.5 million after two weeks, Smith is still proving his international appeal. According to Box Office Mojo, the film grossed $45.5 million overseas this weekend. It’s doing particularly well in Russia, where it grossed $8.5 million. It made $5.3 million in Mexico and $4 million in Brazil.
image: Universal/image.net