'Predator' takes top spot; 'Simple Favor' opens 3rd
LOS ANGELES — “The Predator” is at the top of the food chain in its first weekend in theaters.
20th Century Fox said Sunday that the film earned an estimated $24 million from more than 4,000 North American theaters.
But with an $88 million production price tag, the Shane Black-directed installment in the 30-year-old franchise will be looking to international receipts to offset the cost. This weekend, it earned $30.7 million from 72 foreign markets, bringing the global total to $54.7 million.
Starring Olivia Munn, Sterling K. Brown and Boyd Holbrook, “The Predator” made headlines just weeks before opening when the studio cut a scene that featured an actor who is a registered sex offender.
Second place went to the “Conjuring” spinoff “The Nun,” which added $18.2 million in its second weekend. The horror pic has now grossed over $85 million.
Lionsgate’s “A Simple Favor” opened close behind in third place with $16.1 million. The film stars Anna Kendrick as a mommy blogger investigating the disappearance of her friend played by Blake Lively.
Fourth and fifth places were neck and neck. According to Sunday estimates, “White Boy Rick,” with $8.8 million, had a slight advantage over “Crazy Rich Asians,” which added $8.7 million and is just shy of hitting $150 million.
“White Boy Rick,” based on a true story and starring Matthew McConaughey as the father of a teenage FBI informant, opened in 2,504 theaters.
The Christian film “Unbroken: Path to Redemption” debuted in the No. 9 spot with $2.4 million. It’s based on Laura Hillenbrand’s novel about Olympian and World War II veteran Louis Zamperini and picks up where “Unbroken” left off.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to comScore.
1. “The Predator,” $24 million ($30.7 million international).
2. “The Nun,” $18.2 million.
3. “A Simple Favor,” $16.1 million.
4. “White Boy Rick,” $8.8 million.
5. “Crazy Rich Asians,” $8.7 million.
6. “Peppermint,” $6.1 million.
7. “The Meg,” $3.8 million.
8. “Searching,” $3.2 million.
9. “Unbroken: Path to Redemption,” $2.4 million.
10. “Mission: Impossible — Fallout,” $2.3 million.
