Neill Blomkamp’s sci-fi tale Elysium claimed the top spot at the box office on Friday.
Although early reports suggested that Matt Damon’s dystopian adventure and the animated flick Planes would lock horns this weekend, apparently more people took a chance on the District 9 director’s latest endeavor. However, families could still turn out on Saturday and Sunday.
According to studio estimates, Elysium jumped to the top of the pile with approximately $11 million in ticket sales . Analysts currently believe the movie could end up with $30 million in the back by the time Monday rolls around. However, the competition was decidedly stiff on Friday.
The critically-panned Jennifer Aniston flick We’re the Millers seemed to be doing well despite its R-rating. The comedy managed to outpace Planes by generating a healthy $8.5 million at the box office. The studio anticipates roughly $25 million in receipts over the next three days. The film’s five-day total should land somewhere around $36.5 million.
While Disney’s Cars spin-off may not have lured a ton of folks to the theaters on Friday, the film could see a spike in business over the next two days. The film landed in third place after scoring $8 million from moviegoers.
Planes was originally conceived as a direct-to-DVD release , though Disney ultimately decided to bring the $50 million flick to cinemas. Even if the movie doesn’t generate $30 million this weekend, the movie will no doubt break even once it arrives on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital download.
Early reports suggest that director Thor Freudenthal’s Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters landed in fourth place on Friday. The sequel to the 2010 adventure will be lucky to gross around $30 million over the weekend.
Other films predicted to land in the top 10 this weekend include 2 Guns, The Smurfs 2, Despicable Me 2, The Wolverine, Grown-Ups 2, and director James Wan’s horror flick The Conjuring.
Are you planning to catch Elysium , We’re the Millers, Planes, or Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters in theaters over the weekend? Which movie do you think will top the box office?
[Image via TriStar / Sony Pictures]