May 26, 2012

Rise of the Planet of the Apes Doesn't Need Any Help

by Rebecca Pahle | Published August 15, 2011

Last weekend saw four wide releases hit theaters--an adaptation of a best-selling novel, the latest entry in a time-tested horror franchise, an R-rated slacker comedy starring an Oscar-nominated actor (and some cult-fav comedians) and a spin-off of a TV mega-hit--and none of them managed to unseat Rise of the Planet of the Apes from the top spot. The summer blockbuster--and surprise critical hit--earned $27.5 million in its second weekend, bringing its total gross so far to $104.8 million. New release The Help (weekend gross $25.5 million), based on Kathryn Stockett’s novel of the same name, wasn’t far behind. Third place finisher Final Destination 5 has so far received better reviews than its predecessor, 2009’s The Final Destination, but has been doing poorer financially: The newer movie’s $18.4 million opening weekend gross is a substantial drop from the former’s opening weekend haul of $27.4 million. Rounding out the top five were last week’s runner-up The Smurfs (weekend gross $13.5 million, total gross $101.5 million) and new release 30 Minutes or Less (weekend gross $13 million), starring Jesse Eisenberg, Aziz Ansari, Danny McBride and Nick Swardson.

Also out in wide release, Glee: The 3D Concert Movie earned $5.7 million during its opening weekend. Littlerock, named the Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You at the 2010 Gotham Awards, earned $1,120 in one theater during its first weekend of limited release.

Out next weekend in wide release are Conan the Barbarian, Fright Night and Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World, with 5 Days of War, The Last Circus, Flypaper, Griff the Invisible, One Day, Programming the Nation? and The Missing Piece out in limited release.