The X-Men Score At The Box Office

Blended lands third

When it was first announced, the idea of a time-travelling storyline, itself based on one of the best-loved storylines from the X-Men comics run, which also blends the original X-cast with the First Class team, seemed like a massive gamble. It’s one that has paid off in spades, as X-Men: Days Of Future Past has earned $90.7 million in three days and a huge $111 million across the four-day Memorial Day weekend holiday, according to studio estimates.

With a holiday here in the UK, the film has benefitted from opening at the top of the box office in most of its territories, taking home $261.8 worldwide in just one weekend. That launch number is the best for the series, and marks Fox’s most successful international opening ever, even surpassing Avatar’s $164.5 million back in 2009. Whatever the future holds for Xavier and co., we’re destined to see it.

Godzilla was pushed to second place, though the giant lizard held on to a decent chunk of cinemagoers’ attention, earning$39.4 million across the four days for a $156.7 million running total in the US. It should earn back at least its production budget from US ticket sales alone this week. Adam Sandler, though, won’t be all that pleased with his latest. Despite reuniting with Drew Barrymore for Blended, the new comedy only managed $18.1 million for a third place start. Does this mean we now have to fear Grown Ups 3?

(Bad) Neighbours fell to fourth, earning $17.2 million and crossing the $100 million dollar mark healthily thanks to $116 million in the bank so far. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 was down to fifth, with $10 million this holiday weekend. It was no doubt affected by the strong new superhero challenger on offer.

Sports drama Million Dollar Arm dropped to sixth and $8.7 million, while The Other Woman was seventh, taking in $4.5 million. Rio 2 nabbed $3.2 million in eighth, ahead of Jon Favreau’s culinary indie Chef. The low-budget pic did great business: despite only showing on 498 screens, it managed $2.9 million and slipped into the top 10 at ninth. Finally, Heaven Is For Real prepared to leave the top 10, scoring $2.7 million for an $86.5 million running total.

To see Wolverine take down a giant radioactive beast in the full chart listings, head to Box Office Mojo.

from Empire News