Monsters University and World War Z did far better than expected. While Monsters University did open at No. 1, it earned the second biggest opening in Pixar’s history. As for World War Z, the film that once looked like the biggest dud of the summer turned into one of the year’s biggest surprises. Meanwhile, Warner Bros. was not likely happy to see Man of Steel falter against the competition.
Monsters U is a prequel to the 2001 Pixar favorite Monsters Inc. and reteams Billy Crystal and John Goodman as Mike and Sulley. The film made $82 million over the weekend, coming in just behind Toy Story 3’s $110.3 million opening in 2010, notes Entertainment Weekly. Monsters Inc debuted to $62.6 million ($82 million if adjusted for inflation) in its first weekend.
Brad Pitt and Paramount have to be smiling today because of World War Z’s surprising $66 million opening. The film had a troubled production and cost well over $200 million to make. But audiences didn’t care - they just wanted to see Pitt against zombies. According to Box Office Mojo, the film scored a B+ CinemaScore grade from audiences.
Man Of Steel made $125.1 million during its first weekend, but zombies and monsters were the film’s kryptonite. It grossed only $41.2 million, a 65 percent fall. It’s still doing better than 2006’s Superman Returns with a $210 million domestic total. Man of Steel is still drawing viewers overseas, adding $89 million this weekend.
This Is The End added $13 million, while Now you See Me added $7.9 million. The Bling Ring grossed $2 million in its first weekend in wide release.
Up this weekend is The Heat with Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock and White House Down with Jamie Foxx and Channing Tatum.
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