May 26, 2012

G-Force Shows No Mercy to Harry Potter

by Elissa Suh | Published July 27, 2009

Harry Potter is no match for Zach Galifianakis, Kelli Garner and their furry little friends in G-Force.

Friday’s new releases achieved box office success, despite their lack of critical acclaim. In an absurd twist, a band of guinea pigs took down Harry Potter and his no-longer-pre-pubescent wizard colleagues, as Disney’s G-Force landed in the number one spot.

The only thing more marketable than furry rodents are furry rodents in 3-D, as evidenced by the film’s $32.1 million weekend gross. The sixth installment of the Harry Potter franchise, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, made an even $30 million, bringing its total to $221.8 million.

People flocked to see Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler slowly but surely fall in love (Did you seriously think otherwise?) in The Ugly Truth. The misleadingly misogynistic romantic comedy came in close at third this weekend with $27 million.

On the opposite end of the genre spectrum, the horror flick Orphan earned $12 million. Despite the numerous remakes and postmodern spins on a classic tale, audiences never seem to tire of the unusually pale and malevolent demon-child sub-genre.

Last but not least, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs rounded out the top five with with $8.2 million.

Can the guinea pigs hold their own against Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen, when Judd Apatow’s much-publicized Funny People hits theaters this weekend? Check back next Monday to find out which movie claims Top of the Box Office.