Guardians of the Galaxy opened to a massive $94 million, shattering the previous August opening weekend record of $69.3 million earned by The Bourne Ultimatum back in 2007. An to go along with that result, which was $28 million above tracking, opening day audiences gave the film an “A” CinemaScore, solidifying Marvel’s cinematic takeover… Warner Bros. and DC better be sharpening their game if they hope to compete in the dominant form of cinematic storytelling of this current generation.
As for the demographics, 56% of the Guardians audience was male, 55% were over 25 and 45% of that total came from 3D screenings. The reported budget on the film is $170 million and, added to that massive domestic opening, the film brought in another $66.4 million internationally for a $160.4 million worldwide opening.
The Guardians opening is the second largest of the year behind Transformers: Age of Extinction ($100 million) and another Marvel property, Captain America: The Winter Soldier ($95 million). And with the Guardians number this is the biggest box office weekend in August history at $183 million.
Also opening this weekend was the James Brown biopic, Get On Up, which opened just slightly above tracking with $14 million and also an “A” CinemaScore.
Holdovers from last weekend saw Lucy drop 58.4% for a solid sophomore session totalling $18.4 million, bringing the film’s cume to just under $80 million. Hercules is pretty much dead in the domestic box office water, dropping 64% and a $10.7 million second weekend. It’s going to need big numbers overseas to make up for that $100 million budget.
In tenth place was Anton Corbijn‘s A Most Wanted Man over eleventh placed Richard Linklater‘s Boyhood, which is still expanding nationwide, playing in only 311 theaters this past weekend for $2.5 million.
Finally, John Michael McDonagh‘s Calvary opened in only four theaters, bringing in a solid $72,800. I’ll be seeing that this week and really can’t wait.
Next weekend sees the release of Into the Storm, Step Up All In, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Hundred-Foot Journey and Paramount has to be worried about Turtles at this point, especially with the buzz surrounding Guardians. Is there enough audience for both to survive next weekend? Will Guardians drop hard? Will Turtles be a bust? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments below.
