‘Compton’ Eyes Four-Peat, Edging ‘War Room,’ Newcomers at Labor Day Box Office
“Straight Outta Compton” is heading for a fourth straight victory at the U.S. box office, edging out faith-based drama “War Room” with about $11 million for the Labor Day Weekend, according to early Friday estimates.
New entries “The Transporter Refueled” and “A Walk in the Woods” are likely to finish with about $9 million, and the sixth weekend of “Mission: Impossible: Rogue Nation” is poised to come in third at about $9.7 million.
“Transporter Refueled” appeared to be the winner Friday with $2.5 million, including $365,000 from Thursday-night preview showings. “Straight Outta Compton” was the next best with $2.2 million, followed by “A Walk in the Woods” at $2 million.
Universal-Legendary’s “Straight Outta Compton” will finish the weekend at 3,094 locations with a 22-day total near $150 million — the 15th title of 2015 to hit the milestone, and by far the least expensive of that group with a $29 million price tag.
TriStar’s second weekend of the faith-based drama “War Room” is again eclipsing forecasts, which had been about $7 million during the Labor Day period. Instead, it will be closer to $10.5 million at 1,526 sites after a commendable performance in its opening frame. This would lift its cumulative total past $25 million in its first 11 days.
Paramount’s fifth “Mission: Impossible” is showing plenty of staying power at the box office with virtually no decline from last weekend’s $8.2 million finish. The Tom Cruise vehicle will cross the $180 million milestone on Monday.
EuropaCorp’s “Transporter Refueled,” the fourth in the “Transporter” series, is performing in line with forecasts that had tabbed the action-thriller around $9 million over the four-day Labor Day holiday. “The Transporter Refueled” stars Ed Skrein, who replaces Jason Statham as Frank Martin. The film cost $22 million to produce.
Broad Green Pictures’ “A Walk in the Woods,” starring Robert Redford and Nick Nolte, opened to $1.2 million on Wednesday at 1,849 locations. It will add another $8.5 million by Monday.
Even with a moderate overall performance in the final weekend of the summer, the domestic summer box office should wind up at $4.3 billion — up 7.5% from last year and the second highest total in history behind the summer of 2013.
Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst with Rentrak, noted that some box office drama could emerge over the weekend. “This will mark a quiet end to the second biggest summer season on record, but could nonetheless be an interesting one if ‘War Room’ catches fire over the weekend and somehow delivers an upset to the reigning champ, ‘Straight Outta Compton.'”
Related stories
Digital Tracking: 'Transporter' to Take on 'Compton' Over Quiet Box Office Weekend
Box Office: 'Transporter Refueled' Drives Off With $365,000 on Thursday
Box Office: 'A Walk in the Woods' Strolls to $1.2 Million on Wednesday
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