The two big new releases this week did extraordinarily well, with Pixar's Monsters University scoring $82 million to mark the studio's 14th straight box office topper and their second biggest debut ever, behind just Toy Story 3. The family film should continue to play well with a lack of competition, as it earned an "A" Cinemascore and played 60% under 25 years old. The big surprise was second place though, as the famously troubled production of World War Z had zero effect on its earning power, hauling in a hugely unexpected $66 million. It was helped by decent reviews (71% Rotten Tomatoes) and Brad Pitt's star power, as the film played to 51% women, which is nearly unheard of for an action zombie flick. In fact, it's the biggest opening of Brad Pitt's career, passing Mr. and Mrs. Smith's $50 million bow in 2005.
Top 5:
- Monsters University- $82 million
- World War Z- $66 million
- Man of Steel- $41.2 million
- This is the End- $13 million
- Now You See Me- $7.9 million
In the holdovers, Man of Steel fell a pretty steep 65% since last week but already has $210 million total and should still cross $300 million. Up next week is The Heat, the buddy-cop comedy with Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy, and White House Down, aka Die Hard in the White House, with Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx.
