"Thor" Sequel Triumphs at the Box Office

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Weekend Report: Thor Sequel Gets Boost from The Avengers
by Ray Subers
November 10, 2013


Thor: The Dark World dominated the box office this weekend, though the god of thunder was unable to make it in to the elite club of superheroes who have opened a movie over $100 million.

Playing at 3,841 locations, the second follow-up to The Avengers opened to an estimated $86.1 million. That's up 31 percent on the first Thor's $65.7 million, and is also the best start yet for a Marvel Cinematic Universe movie that doesn't feature Iron Man.

It is, of course, less than half of Iron Man 3's $174.1 million, though it's important to remember that Chris Hemsworth's Thor isn't even remotely as popular as Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark.



The Dark World's 31 percent improvement over the first Thor can largely be attributed to The Avengers, which helped raise the profile of Thor and his evil brother Loki (who was featured prominently in this movie's marketing).

In comparison, Iron Man 3's bump over Iron Man 2 was a bit better (36 percent), though it's not an apples-to-apples comparison. Iron Man 3 benefited from the addition of 3D premiums, whereas Thor: The Dark World actually had less 3D attendance than the original Thor (39 percent vs. 60 percent).

Ultimately, Thor: The Dark World and Iron Man 3 seem to have benefited equally from their connection to The Avengers.



It is worth noting that Thor 2's 3D figure (39 percent) is a bit of a disappointment. There was an expectation that Gravity helped improve audience perception of 3D, and Disney/Marvel attempted to piggyback on that by adding five minutes of April 2014's Captain America: The Winter Soldier in front of the 3D version of Thor 2.

The unimpressive 3D share suggests moviegoers remain skeptical of the premium-priced format.

Thor: The Dark World did play well in large format venues. The movie earned $5.3 million in IMAX, despite splitting showtimes with Ender's Game. Meanwhile, seven percent of its take came from other premium large-format screens.



Thor's audience was overwhelmingly male (62 percent), which suggests the appeal of Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman wasn't enough to get many women to give the fantasy/sci-fi movie a chance.

Also, 61 percent of those in attendance were over the age of 25.



Audiences awarded the movie a solid "A-" CinemaScore. With a complete lack of competition next weekend, Thor should have a better-than-average hold, and a final total north of $200 million is a guarantee at this point.







Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa held second place with $11.3 million, which was off 44 percent from last weekend.

To date, it has earned $78.7 million (second all-time in the Jackass franchise), and appears on pace for over $100 million by the end of its run.








Free Birds and Last Vegas both had great second weekend holds.

The animated turkeys dipped 29 percent to $11.2 million, while the geriatric partygoers eased 32 percent to $11.1 million.

The movies have now earned $30.2 million and $33.5 million, respectively.







After topping the box office last weekend, Ender's Game plummeted 62 percent to $10.3 million this weekend. Through 10 days, the sci-fi flick has earned $44 million, which is a bit behind notorious 2013 bomb After Earth.

With The Hunger Games: Catching Fire coming in two weeks, it's likely that Ender's Game continues its quick fade.








Gravity added $8.4 million for a new total of $231.1 million, which ranks seventh on the year ahead of Star Trek Into Darkness.

Alfonso Cuaron's 3D sensation remains on pace for a final total around $260 million.







Steve McQueen's acclaimed slavery drama 12 Years a Slave expanded nationwide to 1,144 theaters this weekend and earned $6.6 million. To date, it has already banked $17.3 million, and is a few days away from eclipsing fellow Fox Searchlight release 127 Hours ($18.3 million).

The movie is clearly connecting with mainstream audiences, and will continue to expand its reach next weekend (around 1,300 locations).







Playing in 1,200 theaters, About Time took ninth place with $5.2 million.

That's not a particularly good debut, though the British time travel romance is the type of movie that should hang on well over the next few weeks.







All Is Lost expanded to 401 theaters and made it in to the Top 12 with $1.2 million.

The Robert Redford lost-at-sea flick has now grossed a modest $2.3 million.







World War II drama The Book Thief opened to $108,000 at four locations in New York and Los Angeles.

Fox's expansion plans are unclear at the moment.

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3751&p=.htm









November 8-10, 2013 Weekend Studio Estimates:


1. Thor: The Dark World $86,109,000
2. Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa $11,300,000 / $78,747,000
3. Free Birds $11,180,000 / $30,196,000
4. Last Vegas $11,100,000 / $33,531,000
5. Ender's Game $10,250,000 / $44,001,000
6. Gravity $8,405,000 / $231,119,000
7. 12 Years a Slave $6,600,000 / $17,346,000
8. Captain Phillips $5,800,000 / $90,982,000
9. About Time $5,172,000 / $6,690,000
10. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 $2,800,000 / $109,976,000

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