After a minor break in the action, Weekend Box Office is back, and what a week to return to. Darren Aronofsky’s Biblical epic, Noah, debuted in the top spot despite Paramount Pictures’ worries about the film’s reception from religious groups. Perhaps the supposed “controversy” surrounding the film’s artistic reimagining of the Biblical Flood, buoyed by positive critical reviews, is what helped the Russell Crowe-led film to a resounding $44m. This weekend’s other big release, the David Ayer-directed (End of Watch), Arnold Schwarzenegger-starring Sabotage opened to a dismal $5.3m, landing in 7th place.
The weekend’s two other limited release films, Diego Luna’s Cesar Chavez and Gareth Evans’ The Raid 2: Berandal, didn’t place in the Top 10. The Michael Pena-starring Cesar Chavez did end up in 12th place with $3m while opening in 664 theaters, however. The Raid 2: Berandal, meanwhile, was only released in a handful of theaters, but will be getting a rollout release over the next few weeks and should track well amongst the 18-34 male audience.
You can check out the rest of this weekend’s box office numbers below!
1. Noah – $44,000,000
2. Divergent – $26,500,000
3. Muppets Most Wanted – $11,373,000
4. Mr. Peabody and Sherman – $9,500,000
5. God’s Not Dead – $9,075,421
6. The Grand Budapest Hotel – $8,825,000
7. Sabotage – $5,330,000
8. Need For Speed – $4,335,000
9. 300: Rise of an Empire – $4,300,000
10. Non-Stop – $4,086,975
[via Rentrak]