Defying all expectations, 20th Century Fox’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes came in a strong first place with a $54 million debut. This is especially impressive considering the lack of 3D surcharge, but still not better than Tim Burton‘s 2001 version which landed $68.5m its opening weekend.
The other debut of the weekend was Universal’s The Change-Up opened with a middling $13.5 million, a far cry from the rest of the big R-rated summer comedies. The Smurfs continued a strong run with $21 million for second place. In third was Cowboys & Aliens with a $15.74 million second weekend, bringing its total to $67.36 million.
Horrible Bosses crossed the $100 million mark making $4.6m, while Crazy, Stupid, Love. also had strong legs with $12.1 million for a $54.2 million total, already besting Friends With Benefits, which has grossed $48.5 million thus far.
Check out the Top 10 below.
1. Rise of the Planet of the Apes – $54m (debut)
2. The Smurfs – $21m – $76.2m
3. Cowboys & Aliens – $15.74m – $67.36m
4. The Change-Up – $13.5m (debut)
5. Captain America: The First Avenger – $13m – $143.1m
6. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 – $12.1m – $342m
7. Crazy, Stupid, Love. – $12.1m – $54.2m
8. Friends With Benefits – $4.7m – $48.5m
9. Horrible Bosses – $4.6m – $105.1m
10. Transformers: Dark of the Moon – $3m – $344.1m
Next week sees the IMAX release of Final Destination 5, while 30 Minutes or Less slides into the comedy slot. Glee The 3D Concert Movie also opens, while The Help hits theaters on Wednesday.
Did you see Apes this weekend? What will you see next weekend?