The Hitman’s Bodyguard tops box office action
Critics loved Logan Lucky and gave a big collective shrug to The Hitman’s Bodyguard, but when it came to the test of the marketplace, audiences went their own way.
The two action flicks faced off this weekend, and The Hitman’s Bodyguard emerged the victor with a chart-topping $21.6 million (U.S.), according to studio estimates Sunday, while Logan Lucky sputtered on arrival with $8.1 million.
Both had notable stars: Logan Lucky has Channing Tatum and Daniel Craig, while The Hitman’s Bodyguard boasts Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson. Both were opening in more than 3,000 theatres and both cost around $30 million to produce. Also, both were targeted toward adults, although one was Rrated ( The Hitman’s Bodyguard) and one PG-13 ( Logan Lucky).
“It was a battle of the action ensemble cast movies. Audiences looked at these two action movies in the marketplace and made a decision,” said Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst for comScore.
“I think for audiences they’re just looking for the fun of it . . . ( The Hitman’s Bodyguard) was critic proof. It provided a perfect escape.”
Lionsgate, which distributed The Hitman’s Bodyguard, expects the film to play well into September.
Dergarabedian posited that the limited exposure for director Steven Soderbergh and the producers means Logan Lucky could still be a winning endeavour, despite coming in behind Annabelle: Creation. Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theatres, according to comScore. 1. The Hitman’s Bodyguard, $21.6 million. 2. Annabelle: Creation, $15.5 million. 3. Logan Lucky, $8.1 million. 4. Dunkirk, $6.7 million. 5. Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature, $5.1 million. 6. The Emoji Movie, $4.4 million. 7. Spider-Man: Homecoming, $4.3 million. 8. Girls Trip, $3.8 million. 9. The Dark Tower, $3.7 million. 10. Wind River, $3 million.