Box-office roundup – Oct. 26, 2014 – "Ouija" conjures up top spot
1. Ouija – $20 million [debut week] – The horror thriller probably would have fared better coming out next Friday for Halloween, but it outpaced other October releases (“Carrie’s” $16.1 million in 2013 and “Sinister’s” $18 million in 2012) and the “holiday” weekend may help it retain its box office crown for another week considering the lack of significant blockbuster competition.
Keanu Reeves is John Wick in “John Wick.”
2. John Wick – $14 million [debut week] – Keanu Reeves’ latest action revenge thriller Wick’s opening came up short in a winnable weekend, but it opened in 269 less theaters than “Ouija,” which helped give the horror film the boost. It’s a little more than half of what Denzel Washington’s similar theme film, “The Equalizer” did with a $34 million when it opened just a month ago.
While Reeves’ star power isn’t at Washington’s level, it’s possible audiences had their revenge thriller fill earlier. But as far as post-“Matrix” opening weekends for Reeves, “Wick” only trailed “Constantine’s” $29.7 million in 2005 and “The Day the Earth Stood Still’s” $30.4 million in 2008 so this was a solid start for the film.
3. Fury – $13 million [2nd week; $46 million in total] – Brad Pitt’s WWII drama fell to third place after winning last week in a bit of a surprise and while it will cover its $68 million budget, reaching $100 million may not be in range. Amazingly, Pitt’s most recent major hit, “World War Z (Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy)
4. Gone Girl – $11.1 million [4th week; $124 million] – The fall’s biggest hit so far is showing fantastic staying power in its fourth week and by next week will have eclipsed “The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button [Blu-ray]
5. The Book of Life – $9.8 million [2nd week; $29.9 million] The family film had a very light drop and should have a strong third weekend as its another film ripe for Oct. 31