The Weekend Report

The debut of the animated Inside Out had ‘em in the aisles clapping with an estimated $91.2 million opening. But that wasn’t quite enough as the second weekend of Jurassic World plowed ahead with $101.9 million that was seconds away from a possible record speed to a $400 million gross. The frame’s other wide newcomer – the urban high school comedy Dope – bowed to a disappointing $5.8 million.

In the niches, Hindi ABCD 2 had a soft launch of $398,000 while Telugu Krishnamma Kalipindi Iddarini barely registered. Exclusive debs included a couple of encouraging launches of American independents. Rom-com The Overnight grossed $51,700 at three sites and the more sober tale of manic depression Infinitely Polar Bear opened to $46,300 at five venues. The Ukrainian sign-language drama The Tribe had an OK $8,700 box office from two engagements.

Session revenues exceeded $240 million and saw a modest 13% dip from seven days earlier. It was a considerable 68% improvement from 2014 when the debut of Think Like a Man Too led with $29.2 million to 22 Jump Street’s sophomore $27.5 million result.

Since its Cannes debut, Inside Out has built momentum with early expectations of a $70 million domestic opening. The unusually sophisticated tale of animated emotions within the head of an 11-year-old girl has been a critics’ darling and had pundits pondering if it would play to a youngish crowd.

Studio exit polling proved its accessibility to all ages with 60% of the opening crowd aged 25-years and younger with children under 12 comprising the largest block of 38%. It skewed female at 56%. Families accounted for 71% of the audience and one can anticipate that the film will hold well as teens and Millennials overcome their resistance to its charm and wit. The only slight disappointment: it’s the first Pixar picture not to top the charts on opening wide release.

Internationally, the film opened day-and-date in 36 territories following last week’s sneak in Russia to an estimated $41 million. Mexico led with $8.8 million with other potent major markets including France with $5.2 million and Australia grossing $3.6 million.

Another film with fest momentum, Sundance favorite Dope, failed to ignite with tracking predictions of $10 million. The film was the festival’s most sought-after acquisition with reported guarantees and marketing support of $20 million-plus from winners Open Road and Sony. Exit demographic data was unavailable but the well-reviewed comedy reported connected in African American communities. Its future will hinge on crossover crowds.

The weekend expansions that included Love & Mercy, I’ll See You in My Dreams, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl and The Wolfpack were all maintaining their commercial toehold in this season of the behemoth.

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