Every week we dissect the good, the bad, and the bombs of the Aussie box office world. No talk of box office would be complete without mention of the US, so we’ll also take a look at what’s hitting big, what’s not, and where our refined Aussie movie palates differ from our blockbuster loving American brethren (Hot tip – probably not all that much). Let’s dig in…
The Challengers:
The Hold-overs:
After a batch of ho-hum offerings last week, Tom Cruise arrived this weekend to rev up the box office in Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation.
So, did audiences accept the mission?
AUSTRALIAN BOX OFFICE – JULY 30 – AUGUST 2
| # | Film Title | Distributor | Weekend Gross | Total Gross |
| 1 | MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: ROGUE NATION | PARAMOUNT | $5,019,699 | $5,155,339 |
| 2 | ANT-MAN | WALT DISNEY | $1,736,472 | $12,663,899 |
| 3 | TRAINWRECK (PR) | UNIVERSAL | $1,226,428 | $2,995,249 |
| 4 | PAPER TOWNS | FOX | $644,361 | $4,400,980 |
| 5 | MAGIC MIKE XXL | UNIVERSAL | $587,442 | $11,710,195 |
| 6 | INSIDE OUT | WALT DISNEY | $492,160 | $29,740,390 |
| 7 | MINIONS | UNIVERSAL | $353,913 | $31,945,267 |
| 8 | MR. HOLMES | TRANSMISSION | $344,040 | $1,167,331 |
| 9 | JURASSIC WORLD | UNIVERSAL | $297,809 | $52,440,054 |
| 10 | THE GALLOWS | WARNER BROS | $278,903 | $829,236 |
Source: Urban Cinefile
Turns out Cruise has still got it. The action hero (who has seen his star dim in recent outings like Oblivion and Rock Of Ages) returns to his teflon franchise in fine form, pulling in a shade over $5 million. This is about 21% up from the last Mission pic Ghost Protocol, which ending up being the biggest in the franchise to date ($, so Paramount will be rushing to get Cruise into the spy game quick-smart (indeed a 6th picture has all but been formally green-lit).
The Rogue invasion pushes two-time champion Ant-Man into second, still grabbing audiences attention to the tune of a not-so-tiny $1.7 million. Cume for the pic has vaulted over the $10 million mark and still has a ways to go. At this point, it has cleared the total for Captain America: The First Avenger ($11 million), and at this rate it should end up within spitting distance of the sequel, Winter Soldier ($18.3 million) and the first Iron Man ($18.8 million). While not a mind-blowing number, I’m sure that Marvel execs are optimistic about this start to their Phase 3 plans.
In third place, and still in previews mind you, is the Amy Schumer-starrer Trainwreck. Almost repeating last weeks gross of $1.3 million ($1.26 million this weekend), it’ll be interesting to see how it fares when it’s officially released this weekend. I’m wondering whether two weeks of previews is one too many, because you’d think everyone that was desperate to see it would’ve done so already. I guess we’ll find out next week.
Other tidbits of note, last week’s openers Mr Holmes and The Gallows each vault 3 places and into the top ten from their debuts at 11 and 13 respectively last week. I think this is probably more a byproduct of their minimal falls from last week (31 and 34 percent) in relation to their competitors, rather than an influx of people really wanting to see them. And finally, the other new release for the weekend, heroic schmaltz Max, was a real non-event and doesn’t even register for the top 20. Audiences may have some sense after all…
Over in the U.S of A, Tom Cruise and the IMF took on the family Griswold. Who’s mission was a success, and who’s RV broke down?
U.S BOX OFFICE – JULY 31 – AUGUST 2
| # | Film Title | Distributor | Weekend Gross | Total Gross |
| 1 | MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: ROGUE NATION | PARAMOUNT | $56,000,000 | $56,000,000 |
| 2 | VACATION | WARNER BROS. | $14,850,000 | $21,172,000 |
| 3 | ANT-MAN | WALT DISNEY | $12,619,000 | $132,148,000 |
| 4 | MINIONS | UNIVERSAL | $12,200,000 | $287,391,000 |
| 5 | PIXELS | SONY | $10,400,000 | $45,611,000 |
| 6 | TRAINWRECK | UNIVERSAL | $9,700,000 | $79,709,000 |
| 7 | SOUTHPAW | WEINSTEIN COMPANY | $7,519,000 | $31,577,000 |
| 8 | PAPER TOWNS | FOX | $4,600,000 | $23,816,000 |
| 9 | INSIDE OUT | WALT DISNEY | $4,517,000 | $329,594,000 |
| 10 | JURASSIC PARK | UNIVERSAL | $3,800,000 | $631,500,000 |
Source: Box Office Mojo
As in Australia, Mission Impossible drives full throttle into the top spot, just missing out on a franchise opening record by $1.8 million. Mission Impossible II still holds the record with a $57.8 million opening weekend. Cruise and his fellow producers must be cheering at both their good reviews (93% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes), and their good fortune at the box office.
Sputtering into the runner up slot is the rebooted Vacation starring Ed Helms and Christina Applegate. Following the same sort of template as the original classic starring Chevy Chase, this pic finds the grown-up Rusty Griswold (Helms) taking his wife (Applegate) and sons on a cross country road trip to Wally World. Hilarity ensues… or maybe it doesn’t in this case? Opening last Wednesday in the U.S (probably to get a jump on Rogue Nation), it has only managed $21.1 million in five days which has to dissapoint. Pre-release tracking had the pic (and franchise hope) making anywhere between $30-40 million over the five days, so Warner Bros will be probably rethinking plans for a sequel unless it kicks big time worldwide (which is probably doubtful). It opens in Australia on August 20th.
Up next week, Trainwreck officially opens, The Fantastic Four reboot flies into our dimension, Michael Caton takes the Last Cab To Darwin, and Ethan Hawke aims for a Good Kill.
So there you go folks, any surprises? Everything pan out just as you suspected? Hit us up in the comments and let us know what you’re enjoying at the multiplex. Also, if there’s anything you’d like to see us cover in the world of box office, speak up and let your opinion be known!