1. War Room- $9.3M/$24.6M
The new releases this week were pretty soft, leaving the door wide open for faith-based film War Room to slide in and take the top spot. The latest such drama from Alex Kendrick, who connected with a similar audience with Fireproof and Courageous, the film increased its theater count by 391, earning $9.3M for the holiday weekend. These movies don't cost much, only around $3M for this one, and rely on word-of-mouth for much of the marketing. And considering next week's new films aren't too strong, either, don't be surprised if War Room is back hovering around the top spot for a second week.
2. Straight Outta Compton- $8.8M/$147.7M
It's worth noting that the top two movies are led by primarily African-American casts, and if The Perfect Guy does relatively well next week it could be the top three. Just sayin'.
3. A Walk In the Woods (review here)- $8.1M/$10.2M
The Robert Redford/Nick Nolte walkabout dramedy A Walk in the Woods is the top new release of the week, which should give you an idea how lackluster the Labor Day holiday was for debuts. This one actually opened on Wednesday and the reviews have been lukewarm at best...in fact they have been since it debuted at Sundance earlier this year when Redford, who created the festival, didn't seem to want the film playing there. Anyway, this one is geared towards older-skewing audiences, obviously, especially those familiar with Bill Bryson's cherished memoir. But the promos suggested just another broad "old folks misadventures" comedy, which neither actor is really known for. Hey, it only cost $8M, a pittance nowadays, so whether it sticks around long or not money has already been made.
4. Mission: Impossible- Rogue Nation- $7.15M/$180.3M
5. The Transporter Refueled (review here)- $7.1M
The only people who couldn't have seen the terrible domestic response to The Transporter Refueled were the suits at EuropaCorp. The Transporter franchise was popular mainly due to the presence of Jason Statham, but this fourth entry replaces him with lesser-known actor Ed Skrein with predictably lackluster results. The $30M film earned $7.1M, which is pretty lousy, but what's important to keep in mind is that these movies, which are French productions led by filmmaker Luc Besson, do extremely well overseas. And that is why this franchise continues, and why it was popular enough to also spawn a television series. So don't be surprised if this one does well globally, leading to The Transporter: Engine Failure or whatever a fifth movie will be titled.
6. No Escape- $5.4M/$18.4M
7. The Man from UNCLE- $3.4M/$39.3M
8. Un Gallo con Muchos Huevos- $3.4M
Lionsgate has found remarkable success with their Hispanic-targeted films such as Spare Parts, Girl in Progress, and Instructions Not Included, and now you can add Un Gallo con Muchos Huevos to the list. The $5M Spanish-language animated film earned $3.4M, on top of what it has already earned in Mexico.
9. Sinister 2- $3.3M/$23.7M
10. Inside Out- $3.1M/$348.2M
