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The multitudes of moviegoers for "Exodus" knocked "The Hunger
Games: Mockingjay Part 1" to second place, according to
estimates from tracking firm Rentrak. The third film in the
dystopian thriller series starring Jennifer Lawrence earned
$13.2 million at domestic theaters, bringing its total to $277.4
million.
DreamWorks Animation film "Penguins of Madagascar" finished in
the No. 3 spot with $7.3 million from Friday through Sunday,
while Chris Rock's comedy "Top Five" grabbed fourth place with
$7.2 million. Fifth place went to Walt Disney Co's animated film
"Big Hero 6" with $6.1 million.
"Exodus," helmed by British director Ridley Scott, portrays
Moses as a reluctant prophet who rises up against the pharaoh.
While the $140 million movie fell short of Box Office Mojo's
projection of a $29 million domestic debut, its studio said it
was in line with its expectations. It added $18.8 million from
international markets for a weekend total of $43.3 million.
"It played to a very diverse audience, and in Hispanic markets
was well above the norm," said Spencer Klein, senior vice
president and general sales manager for 20th Century Fox, the
unit of 21st Century Fox that released the film.
"This diversity is a very good indication for long-term
playability," Klein added.
"Exodus" played in 3,503 theaters, while "Top Five" was shown in
just 979. The well-reviewed film stars Rock, who also wrote and
directed, as a troubled comedian who yearns to be taken
seriously after becoming famous playing a character wearing a
bear suit.
Comic heavyweights Cedric the Entertainer, Kevin Hart, Tracy
Morgan and JB Smoove co-star along with Rosario Dawson. The
film, released by Viacom Inc's Paramount Pictures, will expand
significantly over the next two weeks.
One of the season's biggest film's, Warner Bros' "The Hobbit:
The Battle of the Five Armies," has its U.S. opening next week.
It took in $117.6 million on international screens.
"The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1" was released by Lions
Gate Entertainment Corp. Fox distributed "Penguins of
Madagascar."
(Editing by Rosalind Russell and Eric Walsh)
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Biblical
epic 'Exodus' leads U.S.-Canada box office
