‘White House Down’ Tanks as ‘The Heat,’ ‘Monsters U’ Lead Box Office

A sophomore “Monsters University” is schooling newcomers “The Heat” and “White House Down” this weekend with $14.3 million Friday and a projected three-day total in the high $40 millions.

Though that’s not to say Fox’s “Heat” is off to a bad start. The R-rated laffer bowed to $13.6 million Friday for second, where it ought to stay through Sunday. Pic is expected to earn close to $40 million this frame, about twice as much as the season’s last adult-skewing comedy “This Is the End.”

Sony’s “White House Down,” however, isn’t looking so hot. Equally toplining star talent — swap Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy for Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx — the actioner is expected to open in fourth this frame with $9 million from Friday and a three-day haul just north of $20 million.

This reps one of the softer openings for an action film this year, behind fellow White House thriller “Olympus Has Fallen” and Sony flop “After Earth.”

“White House Down” is opening just ahead of April’s “Pain and Gain,” which has earned nearly $50 million to date. “White House Down’s” budget is projected at $150 million.

Paramount’s “World War Z” is taking third in its second outing with $8.9 million Friday, behind “White House Down,” but a weekend haul likely just shy of $30 million for a week-over-week drop of 56%.

Related stories

'White House Down' Free For All Military Members on July 4

How Much Money Did 'World War Z' Make Off the $50 Mega Ticket?

Melissa McCarthy: Comedy's Hottest Star

Get more from Variety.com: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter