The Superman powered reboot Man of Steel from director Zack Snyder and executive producer Christopher Nolan left the competition in its supersonic wake at the North American box office on Friday. What could become the first film in a new Justice League franchise is on pace to break a record having already destroyed the Superman Returns opening from several years ago.
With $12 million already under its belt from early Thursday evening showings tied to the Walmart promotion, Man of Steel flexed its box office muscle on Friday to bring in an additional $44 million on its official opening day thanks to huge demand and ticket surcharges on IMAX and 3D showings. That mark is the 20th highest opening day of all-time, made all the more impressive considering its a non-sequel and arrived in mid-June.
At its current pace, Man of Steel will wrap its opening weekend somewhere in the neighborhood of $115 to $120 million, taking its overall gross ticket sales to around $130 million or more factoring in those Thursday showings. The Father’s Day box office boost on Sunday could be huge which would drive Man of Steel business even higher. I wouldn’t be surprised to see totals reach $140 million or even close in on $150 million if Sunday sees an uptick over Saturday.
The apocalyptic comedy This is the End came in a distant second on its opening day with $6.85 million, bringing its overall total to $19.8 million. Look for this Sony flick from Seth Rogen to end up around $20 million for the Friday through Sunday frame.
Now You See Me was barely seen in third place with $3.3 million on Friday. The magician heist flick is at $73 million thus far and still grasps an outside chance of crossing $100 million domestically before its cinematic run comes to a close.
The Purge scared up $2.9 million in fourth place. With a $3 million budget and $46.5 million already in the can, anything additional at this point is pure gravy for Universal.
Fast & Furious 6 wrapped the top five Friday with another $2.7 million. Universal is cheering this one all the way to the bank with $212.8 million domestically and $594 million worldwide. It will cross $600 million after Saturday’s numbers are reported tomorrow.
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there, and it will be a happy day at Warner Bros. as studio estimates are due in for Man of Steel that will tell us how high Superman was able to fly in his much-anticipated cinematic return.
