The release of Ridley Scott’s epic biblical tale Exodus: Gods and Kings failed to snag the number one box office slot over the weekend; with The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 still reigning supreme.
Scott’s saga stars Christian Bale and Aussie Joel Edgerton as Moses and Ramses respectively; two Egyptian princes raised as brothers but who turn on each other when Moses’ true Hebrew heritage is revealed.
Estimated to be made for $US140 million ($168.9 million), the film raked in $ 2,685,175 over 504 screens in its opening weekend, landing in the number two spot behind Mockingjay.
The third instalment in The Hunger Games series, Mockingjay: Part 1 has been a massive success at the box office so far, scooping $3,039,934 in its third weekend on 549 screens and bringing its Australian box office total to $25,733,039.
The film follows Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) as she agrees to be the symbol of rebellion for the districts rebelling against the Capitol, all the while trying to save Peeta (Josh Lawrence) who has been held captive.
In third place is Disney’s Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day, which opened with a decent $1,183,823 across 255 screens. The film stars young Australian actor Ed Oxenbould as Alexander, a young boy who, along with the rest of his family (Steve Carrell and Jennifer Garner play his parents) experience a day that goes from bad to worse.
Interstellar stayed strong in its fifth week of release, with $1,069,053 across 292 screens. Though that’s a decline of 35 per cent from last week; the Christopher Nolan space adventure has enjoyed a hearty box office performance, totalling $17,389,693 so far.
Indie thriller Nightcrawler also continues to perform well; scooping $422,253 over 105 screens in its second week (totalling $$1,259,301); while the comedy/drama My Old Lady raked in $242,552 over 130 screens in its fourth week. That’s a total of $2,045,702 thus far.
American buddy cop movie Let’s Be Cops continues to flounder, with a taking of $206,755 over 164 screens in its fourth week; while smash hit Gone Girl still chugs along in its tenth week of release.
The mystery drama starring Ben Affleck drew in $184,255 across 164 screens, bringing its Australian box office total to a whopping $26,429,308.
Paul Fenech’s Fat Pizza Vs. Housos seems to have failed to capture the imagination of film-goers, bringing in $120,012 in its second week of release and bringing the box office total to $516,747. Disappointing though this may be, historically Fenech’s films have enjoyed a healthy home entertainment market, so what might be lost in box office will hopefully be recouped in VoD and DVD sales.
Finally, Pride raked in $85,799 across 59 in its sixth week, taking the total to a solid $2,787,225; war drama Fury dropped 62 per cent to bring in $77,050 in its seventh week, contributing to a tidy overall $9,415,405; while the debut of Met Opera: Carmen (Bizet) proved alternative programming can be an attractive option for exhibitors, taking $67,604 over 30 screens.
WEEKEND BOX OFFICE Dec 4-7
|
|
Title |
Week/ Screens |
Box Office |
% +- |
Total
|
|
1 |
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 |
3/549 |
$3,039,934 |
-47 |
$25,733,039 |
|
2 |
Exodus: Gods & Kings |
1/504 |
2,685,175 |
NA |
2,685,175 |
|
3 |
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day |
1/255 |
1,183,823 |
NA |
1,712,076 |
|
4 |
Interstellar |
5/292 |
1,069,053 |
-35 |
17,389,693 |
|
5 |
Nightcrawler |
2/105 |
422,253 |
-26 |
1,259,301 |
|
6 |
My Old Lady |
4/130 |
242,552 |
-22 |
2,045,702 |
|
7 |
Let’s Be Cops |
4/164 |
206,755 |
-56 |
4,078,980 |
|
8 |
Gone Girl |
10/164 |
184,255 |
-41 |
26,429,308 |
|
9 |
Fat Pizza Vs. Housos |
2/121 |
120,012 |
-57 |
516,747 |
|
10 |
Pride |
6/59 |
85,799 |
-36 |
2,787,225 |
Source: Motion Picture Distributors Association of Australia