Earning a terrific $69.2 million in its debut weekend, Pitch Perfect 2 will be singing all the way to the bank&and that is despite intense competition from Mad Max: Fury Road.
When the first Pitch Perfect flick became the unexpected 2012 video-on-demand and sleeper hit phenomenon, Universal Pictures decided it would produce a followup to the film. The sequel is directed by Elizabeth Banks, with a budget of only $29 million. Based on the first film's $65 million domestic overall performance, they set a modest target of $50 million in ticket sales and they got much more than that.
Pitch Perfect 2 showcases once again its original talents Rebel Wilson and Anna Kendrick, alongside newcomer Hailee Steinfeld.
Elizabeth Banks' directorial debut became the third-highest opening for a movie by a female director, just behind Sam Taylor-Johnson's Fifty Shades of Grey ($85.2 million) and Catherine Hardwick's Twilight ($69.6 million).
Nick Carpou, head of domestic distribution at Universal, credits part of the huge success to the widespread appeal and savvy positioning of the popular music and the diverse, charismatic cast. He also mentioned that being featured in a Super Bowl spot and commercials during the NBA playoffs assisted in developing the audience base of Pitch Perfect 2.
The critically acclaimed Mad Max: Fury Road of George Miller, also on its first weekend, became the second-highest earner with an expected and solid $44.4 million across 3,702 locations. The post-apocalyptic, high-octane film, which also played in IMAX and 3D, cost a staggering $150 million to produce and stars Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron.
The Warner Bros. offering received praises from movie reviewers who described the film as "genius" and a "masterpiece." Thirty long years separate the chapters in the franchise and, like a breath of fresh air, Tom Hardy is a great substitution for original star Mel Gibson.
The motion picture got an R rating, which prohibits teenagers from watching the movie without a guardian or parent, potentially limiting its audience.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday until Sunday at Canadian and U.S. theaters will be the following, according to Rentrak:
1. Pitch Perfect 2, $70.3 million ($26.9 million international)
2. Mad Max: Fury Road, $44.4 million ($65 million international)
3. Avengers: Age of Ultron, $38.8 million ($185 million international)
4. Hot Pursuit, $5.8 million (not applicable)
5. Furious 7, $3.6 million ($6.6 million international)
6. Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2, $3.6 million ($1.7 million international)
7. The Age of Adaline, $3.2 million ($1.5 million international)
8. Home, $2.7 million ($4.5 million international)
9. Ex Machina, $2.1 million ($300,000 international)
10. Far from the Madding Crowd, $1.3 million ($828,000 international)
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