movies
Box Office: 'Megamind' moves past 'Unstoppable' to win the weekend
'Skyline' and 'Morning Glory' end up with so-so debuts
'Megamind'
Credit: Dreamworks
Are you a fan of Box office?
Sign up to get the latest updates instantly.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Will Ferrell's dastardly schemes continue to succeed, with the animated "Megamind" staying at the top of the box office.
The DreamWorks Animation 3-D comedy, featuring Ferrell as the voice of a super villain, made just over $30 million in its second week in theaters, according to Sunday studio estimates. It's now made nearly $90 million total. "Megamind" also features the voices of Brad Pitt, Tina Fey and Jonah Hill.
Opening in second place is the 20th Century Fox action thriller "Unstoppable," starring Denzel Washington and Chris Pine as railroad workers trying to stop a massive runaway train. It made $23.5 million. The movie is based on a 2001 Ohio incident in which a train carrying hazardous cargo traveled 66 miles without a crew.
Last week's No. 2 film, "Due Date," fell to the third spot with $15.5 million. The Warner Bros. comedy features Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis as opposites stuck together on a cross-country road trip. It's now made $59 million in two weeks.
Among the weekend's other new releases, "Skyline" opened in fourth place with $11.7 million. The Universal Pictures sci-fi thriller depicts aliens invading and destroying Los Angeles. And "Morning Glory," a Paramount comedy set in a network morning show starring Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton, opened at No. 5 with about $9.6 million.
Anne Globe, head of worldwide marketing for DreamWorks Animation, said positive word of mouth helped "Megamind" remain on top.
"It's exciting because audiences are clearly responding very well to the movie," said Globe. "This was a decided No. 1 again. We were only down 35 percent, which is a pretty terrific hold for the movie."
But "Megamind" is the rare family movie in theaters these days, which also helps, said Hollywood.com analyst Paul Dergarabedian. Next week, the feverishly anticipated first half of the "Harry Potter" finale, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1," debuts.
"Up until 'Megamind' the marketplace was virtually devoid of any family films," Dergarabedian said. "The R-rated films were dominating: You had 'Paranormal Activity 2,' 'Saw 3-D,' 'Jackass 3D.' Then there was a plethora of adult-oriented dramas: 'Secretariat,' 'The Social Network,' 'Hereafter,' all those films. Then there were movies for older audiences like 'Red.'"
The fact that "Megamind" is in 3-D is also a draw to younger audiences, he said: "Kids love 3-D. Kids love the gimmicky thing."
"Unstoppable," the fifth film Washington has made with director Tony Scott, debuted slightly better than the $21.4 million average opening of their collaborations. Previously, they'd worked on "Crimson Tide," ''Man on Fire," ''Deja Vu" and "The Taking of Pelham 123."
The movie had surprisingly good reviews for an action picture — 86 percent positive on Rotten Tomatoes — and the audience was evenly divided between men and women, said Bert Livingston, general sales manager for 20th Century Fox
"It doesn't happen very often, but when you get reviews like that and people like the movie so much, and they come out and tell their friends, it's the first weekend but it's just a beginning," Livingston said.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Final figures will be released Monday.
1. "Megamind," $30 million.
2. "Unstoppable," $23.5 million.
3. "Due Date," $15.5 million.
4. "Skyline," 11.7 million.
5. "Morning Glory," $9.6 million.
6. "For Colored Girls," $6.75 million.
7. "Red," $5.1 million.
8. "Paranormal Activity 2," $3 million.
9. "Saw 3-D," $2.75 million.
10. "Jackass 3-D," $2.3 million.
Copyright (2010) Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Around the Web
News From Our Partners
-
The Telefile - TV on DVD: Tuesday, June 18, 2013
The Telefile - Veep: The Episode's Best Insults
The Telefile - The Most Heinous Person on Reality TV This Week
-
Video Interviews with Cast & Crew of Monsters University
Digital Multiplex: 21 & Over, Quartet, and More
RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: Jack the Giant Slayer and Quartet
-
'Dumb and Dumber 2′ Saved by Universal
'Anger Management' Update: Selma Blair Out after Charlie Sheen Threatens to Quit
'The Lego Movie' Trailer: Chris Pratt Leads a Great Assembly of Talent
-
Mike Hogan: Why We're Hating Don Draper
Colorado Woman Dies During Production Of Reality TV Show
It Pays To Play Gay On Daytime Soaps
-
'Veronica Mars' Begins Filming: See Set Photos Here!
'Kick-Ass 2' Exclusive: Meet Your Heroes And Villains
Brad Pitt Promises 'World War Z' Will Be 'Most Intense' Movie You'll See All Year
-
'Star Wars: Episode VII': Is George Lucas Involved in the J.J. Abrams Reboot?
'Anchorman 2' Teaser Poster Revealed, and It's Kind of a Big Deal
New 'Kick-Ass 2' Trailer: Hit-Girl Gets Her Hits In, Kick-Ass Goes Shirtless
-
Hear This: My dad toured with Phil Collins
Watch This: White Zombie is the granddaddy of all zombie flicks
Comics Panel: New comics releases include a high-profile Superman title and a musician’s return to comics
-
What to Watch Tonight: SYTYCD, Pretty Little Liars, and the Season 4 Finale of The Voice
Dan Harmon Has Apologized for His Comments About Community Season 4, But Should He Be Forgiven? (POLL)
Teen Wolf "Fireflies" Review: The Virgin Homicides (PHOTO RECAP)
Comments
Option 1
Comment instantly as a guest GuestOption 2
Option 3
Login or create a HitFix account Login Signup