Saving Private Ryan was not a fluke. Audiences are compelled to watch Matt Damon get into life-threatening situations and dig himself out with the assistance of his squadron. The formula was a success again this past weekend with his latest film, The Martian. Director Ridley Scott redeemed himself after a string of films that have received mixed reviews from both critics and audiences. The science-fiction movie made an estimated $55 million dollars over the past weekend. It has received great reviews and word of mouth, so expect to see The Martian hovering around the top ten for weeks to come.
In second place was Hotel Transylvania 2, which held on surprisingly well with an estimated $33 million dollars. The animated family comedy didn’t drop off much in its second week of release and has solidified the series as a bonafide franchise.
Sicario coninues to climb up the charts thanks to a methodical release schedule that has built on the film’s tremedous word of mouth. The crime thriller made an estimated $12 million dollars in its third week of release as it continued to expand into more theaters.
In fourth place was The Intern, which held on to a majority of is audience as well. The dramedy made an estimated $11.6 million dollars in its second week of release. The fact that this film has found a niche, speaks to the diversity of options at theaters right now.
Rounding out the top five is Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials with an estimated $7.6 million dollars over the past weekend. The film has steadily losing steam since its release three weeks ago. It will be interesting to see how audiences respond to the final chapter next year.
Here is the complete box-office breakdown for the weekend of October 2nd-4th:
| TW | LW | Title (click to view) | Studio | Weekend Gross | % Change | Theater Count /Change | Average | Total Gross | Budget* | Week # | |
| 1 | N | The Martian | Fox | $55,000,000 | – | 3,831 | – | $14,357 | $55,000,000 | $108 | 1 |
| 2 | 1 | Hotel Transylvania 2 | Sony | $33,000,000 | -31.9% | 3,754 | – | $8,791 | $90,541,765 | – | 2 |
| 3 | 10 | Sicario | LGF | $12,075,000 | +603.1% | 2,620 | +2,561 | $4,609 | $15,076,295 | $30 | 3 |
| 4 | 2 | The Intern | WB | $11,620,000 | -34.5% | 3,320 | +15 | $3,500 | $36,523,892 | – | 2 |
| 5 | 3 | Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials | Fox | $7,650,000 | -46.4% | 3,319 | -473 | $2,305 | $63,241,124 | $61 | 3 |
| 6 | 5 | Black Mass | WB | $5,905,000 | -46.5% | 2,768 | -420 | $2,133 | $52,521,030 | $53 | 3 |
| 7 | 4 | Everest (2015) | Uni. | $5,510,000 | -58.4% | 3,009 | +3 | $1,831 | $33,181,310 | $55 | 3 |
| 8 | 6 | The Visit | Uni. | $3,950,000 | -40.8% | 2,296 | -671 | $1,720 | $57,695,090 | $5 | 4 |
| 9 | 8 | War Room | TriS | $2,800,000 | -34.0% | 1,746 | -174 | $1,604 | $60,544,613 | $3 | 6 |
| 10 | 7 | The Perfect Guy | SGem | $2,400,000 | -49.7% | 1,364 | -525 | $1,760 | $52,615,190 | $12 | 4 |
What did you catch over the weekend? Was it any good? Let us know on the comment boards, , , and !
Source: Box Office Mojo