Fans of the horror franchise flocked to see the reboot.
Hollywood is riding a strong wave of big movies to keep ahead of last year’s box office track record with a $127.5 million weekend haul from the top films. Sony Pictures’ Evil Dead remake took home $26 million playing on over 3,000 screens in the US. That opening puts the film in the Top 10 for all-time horror remakes. It’s also worth noting that producers Bruce Campbell and Sam Raimi employed only practical effects for the film, which connects to the low budget original’s past. Analysts expect the movie to earn about $50 million at the box office, but home entertainment is where this franchise has always thrived.
Other big movies this weekend were The Rock’s G.I. Joe: Retaliation and the family CGI prehistoric adventure The Croods, which each took in $21.1 million. G.I. Joe has earned $86.7 million thus far, while The Croods has collected $125.8 million to date.
Jurassic Park 3D beat out Titanic 3D ($15.5 million) with its $18.2 million opening in nearly 3,000 locations. With Jurassic Park 4 heading to theaters next summer, this bodes well for the franchise. Believe it or not, the original film is now 20 years old. But the 3D adds something new to the experience. IMAX 3D screenings accounted for one-third of the film’s box office, or $6 million, which is the biggest share ever for a nationwide release. More theater goers are willing to pay more for a 3D event movie on a giant screen.
