Lionsgate's new film Divergent opened strong in its first full day Friday, while the other new wide release of the weekend Muppets Most Wanted was soft.
After $4.9 million from Thursday showings, the Shailene Woodley-led film earned $22.8 million on Friday, reports Forbes. The film is projected to earn upwards of $55 million through the weekend. That's a decent start for the $85 million teen action flick that was poorly received by critics.
Muppets Most Wanted opened very soft against the competition with only $4.66 million, with projections for the sequel sitting at around $18 million for the weekend. That's nowhere near the Fri-Sun tally of $29 million Disney's The Muppets earned in its opening weekend, though it was helped by it being Thanksgiving weekend.
Small film God's Not Dead had a surprisingly strong release with $2.8 million and the film could potentially make $8 million for the weekend. Last week's winner Mr. Peabody & Sherman earned $2.7 million on Friday and could gross $10.8 million for the weekend.
300: Rise of an Empire grossed $2.4 million and likely will earn about $8 million for the weekend. TheWrap reports the film has already made $87 million domestically.
Aaron Paul's Need for Speed earned a close $2.2 million and projections tab the movie for a second weekend gross of $7 million. The Grand Budapest Hotel continues to expand and earned $1.8 million on Friday. The Wes Anderson film is projected to earn $6.3 million for the weekend.
Jason Batemen's Bad Words did acceptable on Friday as it expanded to more theaters with $141,000. Nymphomaniac: Volume 1 opened in 24 theaters to $53,000 on Friday.
image courtesy of Summit/EPK