“Neighbors,” the frat boys vs. family raunchfest starring Zac Efron and Seth Rogen, partied to a very hearty $51 million in its box office opening this weekend.
Universal's R-rated comedy knocked off “The Amazing Spider-Man 2,” which was second with $37.2 million just one week after kicking off the summer blockbuster season in the top spot with $91 million. It was expected to be a closer race, but the Nick Stoller-directed “Neighbors” blew past analysts’ expectations and turned it into a laugher.
The drop-off from last weekend for Sony's Marvel superhero sequel was 60 percent — more than the 57 percent that “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” fell in its second week in April, but less than 64 percent drop that last summer's “Man of Steel” tumbled. While it has given up the top spot in the U.S. after just one week, Spidey remains a juggernaut overseas, where it added nearly $70 million this weekend to raise it worldwide haul to $550 million.
*Also read: *‘Neighbors’ Breast Milk Gag: 9 Girly Gross-Out Comedy Moments (Video)
The U.S. results had more to do with the surge by “Neighbors” than the slide by “Amazing Spider-Man 2.” Neither of the weekend's other two nationwide openers, the Christian comedy “Moms Night Out” or the animated musical “Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return,” was able to crack $4 million.
The stunning “Neighbors” opening — at least $10 million over projections — ranks among the best ever for an R-rated non-sequel film comedy. It's better than those of “21 Jump Street” ($31 million), “The Heat” ($39 million), 2000's “Scary Movie” ( $42 million) and 2009's “The Hangover” ($45 million), and just under 2012's “Ted” ($54 million) and 2008's “Sex and the City” ($57 million).
*Also read:* The Evolution of Zac Efron: From Squeaky Clean ‘High School’ Star to Raunchy Frat King (Photos)
“Neighbors” got there by playing more broadly than anticipated, with an audience that was 53 percent women. That means rather than attracting just young males, it played like a date movie, and the presence of Efron and co-star Rose Byrne had a lot to do with that.
More to come …
The post ‘Neighbors’ Spanks Spidey in $51 Million Box-Office Blowout appeared first on TheWrap.
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Universal's R-rated comedy knocked off “The Amazing Spider-Man 2,” which was second with $37.2 million just one week after kicking off the summer blockbuster season in the top spot with $91 million. It was expected to be a closer race, but the Nick Stoller-directed “Neighbors” blew past analysts’ expectations and turned it into a laugher.
The drop-off from last weekend for Sony's Marvel superhero sequel was 60 percent — more than the 57 percent that “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” fell in its second week in April, but less than 64 percent drop that last summer's “Man of Steel” tumbled. While it has given up the top spot in the U.S. after just one week, Spidey remains a juggernaut overseas, where it added nearly $70 million this weekend to raise it worldwide haul to $550 million.
*Also read: *‘Neighbors’ Breast Milk Gag: 9 Girly Gross-Out Comedy Moments (Video)
The U.S. results had more to do with the surge by “Neighbors” than the slide by “Amazing Spider-Man 2.” Neither of the weekend's other two nationwide openers, the Christian comedy “Moms Night Out” or the animated musical “Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return,” was able to crack $4 million.
The stunning “Neighbors” opening — at least $10 million over projections — ranks among the best ever for an R-rated non-sequel film comedy. It's better than those of “21 Jump Street” ($31 million), “The Heat” ($39 million), 2000's “Scary Movie” ( $42 million) and 2009's “The Hangover” ($45 million), and just under 2012's “Ted” ($54 million) and 2008's “Sex and the City” ($57 million).
*Also read:* The Evolution of Zac Efron: From Squeaky Clean ‘High School’ Star to Raunchy Frat King (Photos)
“Neighbors” got there by playing more broadly than anticipated, with an audience that was 53 percent women. That means rather than attracting just young males, it played like a date movie, and the presence of Efron and co-star Rose Byrne had a lot to do with that.
More to come …
The post ‘Neighbors’ Spanks Spidey in $51 Million Box-Office Blowout appeared first on TheWrap.
*Related stories from TheWrap:*
'Godzilla' Review: Or, in This Case, 'Waiting for Godzilla'
'SNL': Charlize Theron Can't Sing, But Barbara Walters Can Do A Mean Barbara Walters Impression
Zac Efron Broke His Hand Grabbing Dave Franco's Balls (Video) Reported by The Wrap 17 hours ago.