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 That just edged out Fox's "The Martian," the science-fiction
smash that was trying to be the number one picture for a third
week in a row. The film added $21.5 million to its $143.8
million haul.
It was a crowded time at the multiplexes, as four new releases
jockeyed for audiences' attention. Aside from "Goosebumps," the
weekend's best performer was "Bridge of Spies," the Steven
Spielberg Cold War drama that capitalized on good reviews and
Oscar buzz by nabbing $15.4 million. Disney is distributing the
true story of an attorney (Tom Hanks) who defends a Russian spy
(Mark Rylance). DreamWorks produced the $40 million production.
Its look at prisoner rights resonates in the post-Guantanamo age
and positions "Bridge of Spies" to remain part of the
conversation in coming weeks, Disney executives argued.
"It's overwhelmingly applicable to today," said Dave Hollis,
Walt Disney Studios' executive vice president of theatrical
distribution. "But that's Steven Spielberg. He's able to do that
with almost every single story."
"Crimson Peak" fared less well. The Gothic Romance from
Guillermo del Toro proved too niche for mainstream crowds,
falling flat with a $12.6 million debut. The story about a
virginal bride (Mia Wasikowska) who moves into a haunted mansion
cost $55 million to bring to the screen. Legendary Pictures
fully financed the picture and Universal is distributing the
film. The studio believes that "Crimson Peak" struggled to break
out from other fare aimed at older crowds such as "Bridge of
Spies" and "Sicario." It also had more romance than straight
scares, which may have disappointed ticket buyers looking for a
more traditional horror film.
"This is a challenging play time for adult-oriented films," said
Nick Carpou, Universal's domestic distribution chief. "The film
is definitely a throwback to an old fashioned way of creating
atmosphere and layering tension. It's visually stunning and
genuinely creepy."
"Goosebumps" takes its names from the spooky children's books by
R.L. Stine, but provided a meta-twist by having the author play
a role in the movie. Jack Black, who played Stine, injected some
humor into the proceedings, and a PG-rating made the film family
friendly. Sony Pictures backed the $58 million production.
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"Our marketing was able to convey just how fun this movie is," said
Rory Bruer, Sony's distribution chief. "This is a an all audience
movie. It works for teens, as well as adults and younger kids."
That left faith-based drama "Woodlawn," the story of a high school
football team that makes a playoff run after finding religion,
debuted across 1,553 to a stronger than expected $4.1 million. Pure
Flix, the film's distributor, declined to provide a budget.
In limited release, abduction drama "Room" leveraged awards chatter
into a very strong start, earning $120,000 from four screens for a
per-screen average of $30,000. "Truth," another Oscar hopeful, was
less successful. Sony Pictures Classics bowed the story of "60
Minutes'" controversial report on George W. Bush's National Guard
service across six screens where it brought in $76,646, for a per
screen average of $12,774.
And "Beasts of No Nation," Cary Fukunaga's drama about child
soldiers in Africa, made headlines when Netflix bested all bidders
by offering $12 million for rights to the movie. It debuted
simultaneously on the company's streaming service and in 31
theaters, but barely registered at the box office, eking out $50,699
for a per-screen average of $1,635. It's difficult to call the
picture a failure, however, given that Netflix is more interested in
offering up something exclusive to its subscribers that
differentiates itself from other subscription video services. A
theatrical release is being launched primarily to qualify "Beasts"
for awards.
"Steve Jobs," a biopic about the Apple co-founder, impressed in its
expansion after scoring the year's highest per-screen average last
weekend. It moved from four theaters to 60 locations, where it
earned $1.5 million for a per-screen average of $25,831.
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