Over four days (which include some Thursday previews and a strong Father’s Day haul) DC’s Man of Steel soared past expectations to a huge $128.7 million opening and secured Superman’s spot as the next headlining superhero to grace the big screen.
While easily over studio’s Warner Bros. intentionally tepid predictions of an $80-$85 million debut, Man of Steel flew past most more optimistic outlooks and secured the biggest June opening of all time, eclipsing the record previously held by 2010’s Toy Story 3.
Furthermore, as far as openings for reboots are concerned, director Zack Snyder’s baby topped them all, even blasting past the re-launch of more (currently) established Spider-Man character from last year. Considering the performance of 2006’s Superman Returns which is widely considered to be ho-hum in all regards (and failed to launch a franchise) this is a success story all round. Bravo marketing.
Overseas the future of Man of Steel was even brighter where after debuting in only three sizeable territories (and 21 more smaller which all still posted immensely impressive grosses) snagged a huge $71.6 million which puts the global haul over $200 million already. With a solid A- CinemaScore and a bevy of international prospects still to come, Supes’ return will finish its run as one of the year’s biggest blockbusters.
The Top 10
1. Man of Steel – $116.6M (weekend)…$128.7M (gross)
2. This is the End – $20.7M…$33.0M
3. Now You See Me – $11.0M…$80.7M
4. Fast and Furious 6 – $9.6M…$219.7M
5. The Purge – $8.3M…$51.9M
6. The Internship – $7.1M…$31.1M
7. Epic – $6.3M…$95.7M
8. Star Trek Into Darkness – $6.3M…$211.1M
9. After Earth – $4.0M…$54.5M
10. Iron Man 3 – $2.9M…$399.7M
Distant, but still no slouch in second was raunchy star-packed comedy This is the End which since its Wednesday debut collected $33.0 million, a great result for a high concept effort that carries a budget nearly the same as its opening weekend take.
The Seth Rogen-Evan Goldberg team’s effort (the same that brought us Superbad) did open below the duo’s Pineapple Express, but buzz seems to be strong and Man of Steel may have snagged some thunder. We’ll wait until next weekend if we have a leggy sleeper hit on our hands.
Regardless, things won’t slow next weekend as in addition to holdover business from Man of Steel, Brad Pitt’s World War Z and Pixar’s Monsters University debut and should appeal to a wide range of crowds and certainly make for another beefy box office frame.
