The Hunger Games Rakes in the Dough at the Box Office

Everyone knew that The Hunger Games would triumph at the box office last weekend- not least because no other new wide releases dared go up against it.

But the extent to which the much-anticipated teen phenomenon raked in the dough exceeded even the most optimistic box-office expectations. With its weekend gross of $155 million, the movie had A) the biggest non-sequel opening of all time, B) the third-biggest movie opening of all time (behind only Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 and The Dark Knight) and C) the biggest March opening of all time. Perhaps most surprising is that The Hunger Games is now D) production company Lionsgate’s highest-grossing movie—after just three days. Geez, slow down a bit, The Hunger Games—don’t you think you’re raising the bar a bit too high for your sequels?

Also in the top five last weekend (yes, there were other movies out) were last week’s number one film 21 Jump Street (weekend gross $21.3 million, total gross $71 million), which slid to number two; Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax (weekend gross $13.1 million, total gross $177.3 million) in third; and John Carter (weekend gross $5 million, total gross $62.3 million) and Act or Valor (weekend gross $2 million, total gross $65.9 million) rounding out the top five.

New limited releases to hit theaters over the weekend were the anti-abortion drama October Baby ($1.7 million in fewer than 400 theaters), The Raid: Redemption ($220,937), The Deep Blue Sea ($130,000), Musical Chairs ($9,125), 4:44 Last Day on Earth ($8,600), The Trouble with Bliss ($4,630) and Brake ($4,048).

Out next weekend and competing for second place (The Hunger Games will have the number one spot locked for a while, MM predicts) are Wrath of the Titans and Mirror Mirror, with Bully, Dark Tide, Goon, Intruders, Losing Control, Womb, The Island President and Turn Me On, Dammit! coming to theaters in limited release. MM