Friday Box Office: 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes' Fends Off Challengers
Although we're early into the weekend, it's looking like Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is going to make it two weekends in a row at the No. 1 spot, as the blockbuster is fending off all three new challengers to its throne this weekend. Early estimates project that Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, directed by Cloverfield helmer Matt Reeves, will earn roughly $10 million for Friday, making for a three-day haul estimated to be in the mid-$30 million range.
This is significantly more than its opponents, three newcomers that were unable to dethrone the current champ.
The Purge: Anarchy, the sequel to the 2013 hit from Universal, brought in a decent $2.6 million from late shows on Thursday, which continued into Friday to give it a projected opening day gross of $12-$15 million. However, while it's having a stronger Friday than Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, it's projected to finish the weekend behind the current No. 1 movie, grossing around $30 million.
Meanwhile, the Jason Segel/Cameron Diaz comedy Sex Tape took in an underwhelming $1.1 million on Friday, which also factors in its Thursday previews. This means an opening day gross of roughly $7-8 million, meaning it's likely looking at a three-day total of about $20 million. This is more or less the expected gross of the weekend's other newcomer, Disney’s Planes: Fire & Rescue, which brought in $450,000 from Thursday showings. Its opening day totals improved on this number to such an extent that it is projected to be in the $7-9 million range for Friday, putting it neck-and-neck with Sex Tape for the No. 3 spot this weekend. The next two days are going to be crucial in determining which sequel will make it to third place, and which will fall to fourth.
More updates on the box office to come as the weekend rolls on!
Credit: 20th Century Fox