‘Mr. Peabody’ takes the checkered flag ahead of ‘Need for Speed’
Testosterone-fueled films invaded the cineplex this weekend, but they were no match for kids amped up on animation.
Mr. Peabody & Sherman, the cartoon comedy in its second week of release, fended off Disney’s race film Need for Speed and the sequel 300: Rise of an Empire in an upset at the box office. Peabody collected $21.2 million, according to studio estimates from Rentrak. The sophomore-week performance underscored the clout of moviegoing kids, who make up the biggest chunk of repeat viewers.
And they weren’t interested in Need for Speed, the streetracing film starring Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul. The $65 million movie mustered just $17.8 million and third place. Analysts expected at least $22 million and first place.
Based on a video game that has sold more than 140 million copies, the film was promoted heavily by Disney, including a Super Bowl commercial.
“Need for Speed did not struggle due to lack of advertising,” says David Mumpower, analyst for Box Office Prophets. “Starting with the Super Bowl, Disney pushed the title hard.”
Yet Mumpower says audiences viewed the film as a Fast & Furious wannabe. “Potential moviegoers recognized the movie for what it was, a generic clone with no Vin Diesel or The Rock to justify the cost of a ticket.”
Rise of an Empire didn’t have much luck against the timetraveling dog inventor, either; it collected $19.1 million and second place in its second weekend.
Liam Neeson’s airline thriller Non-Stop earned $10.6 million for fourth place.
The only other major newcomer, Tyler Perry’s The Single Moms Club, managed just $8.3 million, good for fifth place.
Final numbers are expected today.