Sam Raimi's 3D fantasy-adventure “Oz the Great and Powerful” brings in $80.3 million in its North American debut and $69.9 million overseas for a worldwide opening of $150.2 million.
Sam Raimi's 3D fantasy-adventure Oz the Great and Powerful brought in $80.3 million in its North American debut and $69.9 million overseas for a global opening of $150.2 million. Disney spent upwards of $300 million on the Wizard of Oz prequel, which tells the story of how a fast-talking Kansas circus worker (James Franco) became the wizard. The relative strength of Oz is a victory for Disney; on the same weekend a year ago, the studio's John Carter opened to $30.2 million.
In second place, Bryan Singer's Jack the Giant Slayer made $10 million during its sophomore weekend at the box office for a domestic total of $43.8 million. From New Line and Legendary Pictures, the 3D fantasy-adventure cost upwards of $300 million to make, including a $190 million production budget.
Universal's R-rated comedy Identity Thief, starring Melissa McCarthy with Jason Bateman, came in third, earning $6.3 million at its fifth week at the box office for a domestic total of $116.5 million.
The weekend's other new wide release, romantic thriller Dead Man Down, starring Noomi Rapace, Colin Farrell, Terrence Howard and Dominic Cooper, came in fourth place with a $55 million debut. The film is being distributed domestically by FilmDistrict with partners IM Global, Original Films and Frequency Films.
In fifth place for the second week in a row, Snitch, produced and financed by Exclusive Media and Participant, brought Lionsgate $5.1 million over its third weekend at the box office for a total of $26.8 million.
21 and Over, written and directed by The Hangover ‘s Josh Lucas and Scott Moore, came in sixth on its sophomore weekend at the box office, making $5.1 million. The $13 million comedy distributed by Relativity Media has earned a domestic total of $16.8 million.
Relativity Media's Safe Haven, directed by Lasse Hallstrom, came in seventh place, earning $3.8 million over the film’s fourth weekend at the box office for a domestic total of $62.9 million.
In eighth place, Silver Linings Playbook, from the Weinstein Co., brought in $3.7 million for a total of $120.7 million during the film’s 17 weeks at the box office.
The Weinstein Co.’s animated 3D family feature, Escape From Planet Earth, directed by Cal Brunker, earned $3.2 million in its fourth weekend out for a ninth place showing on the box office charts and a total of $47.8 million.
Rounding out the list at number 10, CBS Films’ Last Exorcism II brought in $3.1 million on its second weekend out for a total of $12.1 million.
Box office numbers were obtained on boxofficemojo.com.
Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.
