The other new release in the top 10, the animated Norm of the North opened to a per-screen average of $2,837 and finished with $6.84 million. Thanks to strong word-of-mouth and a dozen Oscar nominations (including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor), the Leonardo-DiCaprio-against-the-elements drama earned $29.5 million stateside and $31.5 million overseas, which is much-needed considering the film's $135 million price tag.
The original Ride Along movie had set an opening-weekend record in January 2014, netting US$41.6 million. "The Force Awakens" slid to third place with an estimated $32.6 million through Monday. But it does appear that whatever revisions are happening seem to be based more on the audience response to Star Wars: The Force Awakens than any inherent script problems
A crowded marketplace prevented Michael Bay's 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi to have numbers that matched the likes of Lone Survivor and American Sniper in years past.
As of now, not a single movie has managed to make $3 billion at the box office, but if "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" can earn big in China, where it is close to grabbing $100 million, history could be in the making.
Either way, one thingies almost certain: James Cameron's massive hit, "Titanic", which holds the number two spot of the highest grossing films of all time, will slip to number three if "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" continues to grow.
The seventh installment of the space epic created by George Lucas generated 658.9 million yuan (S$143.8 million) at 14:20 pm local time on Tuesday, after debuting in China earlier this month, according to researcher Entgroup Inc.
Comedy "Daddy's Home" starring Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell finished in fifth place with $11.9 million.
This achieved not only the highest grossing opening day, but also the highest grossing opening week ever at the cinema, eclipsing the previous results for the release of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in 2012.
"Ride Along 2" walked away with over $34 million to take the top spot. 'Spotlight' rose 66% with $1.5 million and has a $30.5 million domestic total.
Connecticut coast wakes to blizzard warning
State authorities are keeping a close eye on the track of a winter storm that could wallop wide swaths of New Jersey this weekend. Those who must travel are advised by emergency officials to have a survival kit, and stay with the vehicle if stranded.
- Press Telegraph