The Avengers has finally found its match, or has it? Well Men in Black 3 took the #1 spot at the box office over the 4-day Memorial weekend, but is beating a film in its 4th weekend that much of an achievement? Let’s find out.
After a 10 year break the Men in Black have returned to the big screen with $54.6 million over the normal weekend and $69.2 million if we count Monday (Memorial Day in the U.S. acts like a second Sunday). In the past Men in Black films have opened around 4th of July, on a Tuesday and a Wednesday, so there’s no way to accurately compare their opening weekends with the one here. But this much I can tell you, after 4 days Men in Black had $69 million while Men in Black 2 $73.4 million. So far part 3 is between them but don’t think for a second that it could eventually match the $250.7 million made by the original during its run 15 years ago (don’t even get me started on inflation).
Men in Black 2 finished with $190.4 million in North America, a bit more in the realm of possibility for Men in Black 3 but still a stretch. I recon this 3D entry will stop around $160-170 million. Fortunately international audiences embraced the flick a lot more so it should ultimately make back its huge $220 million budget.
The Avengers lost this weekend but Disney can comfort themselves with the notion that they now have the fastest film to ever hit $500 million in North America. Thanks to $47.2 million over the long 4-day Memorial weekend, The Avengers passed that mark in just 23 days (previous record holder was Avatar with 32 days). The highest grossing film of 2012, and currently 4th on the all-time chart, has made $523.9 million in 25 days. The Avengers is headed for a $620-630 million finish, so it should become the first film not directed by James Cameron to pass the $600 million mark.
Battleship was 3rd with $14.9 million over the long weekend for an 11-day total of $47.4 million. As crazy as it might seem, this is lagging behind John Carter at the same point in its run ($54.3 million), definitely not a good sign for star of both, Taylor Kitsch. At this rate even finishing above $70 million might seem like a stretch for this very expensive ($209 million) flick.
The Dictator was surprisingly strong in 4th with $11.4 million, now at $43.3 million after 11 days. It will probably finish close to Bruno ($60 million).
Dark Shadows rounds out the top 5 with $9.4 million for a total of $64.9 million.
