Imaginary Friends ruled the box office this weekend, as IF claimed the #1 spot. The John Kransinski-directed family film took the top spot with $35 million. That is a touch below the expectations coming into the weekend, which were hopeful for $40 million.
It comes in slightly under the record for a live-action PG original film, which was 2011’s Hop at $37.5 million. A $35 million opening is not a disaster for a film of this nature, though it’s less than Paramount was hopeful for.
The film came in at a point where the family film options are low, and the belief was that it could take advantage of that. It wasn’t able to capitalize too much, although there are encouraging signs. Most notably, the film held on well throughout the weekend after a disappointing first day, evidence that the A CinemaScore and 87% Rotten Tomatoes audience score are having a greater effect than the mediocre 49% critic score.
That should portent well for its box office legs. And that’s good, because it will need those legs. IF was a star-heavy feature with plenty of effects work, and cost a reported $110 million.
That’s a big spend by Paramount, but it’s not one they seem likely to take a bath on. The film is doing well overseas so far with $24 million for a $59 million worldwide take, and it should be able to expand nicely on that in the weeks to come. With a $100 million-plus domestic final likely, this will be in okay shape if it can deliver the international grosses.
Kingdom Of Planet .
