Save Your Legs! has posted one of the worst box office opening weekend performances among Australian films released in recent times.
The comedy, distributed by Madman Entertainment, grossed $164,654 on 176 screens giving it a screen average of just $936 despite attracting generally positive reviews. It is the first major Australian film released in 2013 and stars Brendan Cowell and Stephen Curry as suburban cricketers who travel to India. In total, Save Your Legs! has grossed $188,133.
By way of comparison, a similarly wide local release, comedy Housos Vs. Authority, took $526,166 across 151 screens for a screen average of $3485 on its opening weekend last November. Bait 3D, which was lambasted for its tepid local opening (before becoming a surprise hit in China), grossed $365,187 across 283 screens last year for a screen average of $1290.
Other Australian films to struggle in recent years include teen drama Wasted on the Young, which opened with $52,907 across 54 screens in March 2011 (screen average $979); drama Matching Jack, which opened with $261,505 across 186 screens in August 2010 (screen average $1405); and horror film The Loved Ones, which opened with $119,848 across 89 screens in November 2010 (screen average $1346).
The poor result may give pause to the producers of rival Aussie sports film Blinder, which will be released on more than 110 screens this Thursday. The Australian Rules Football film, which stars Oliver Ackland and Jack Thompson, is being released by new distribution company Backlot Studios.
Contact this reporter at bswift@www.if.com.au or on Twitter at @bcswift.