1. Suicide Squad- $20.7M/$262.2M
For the third week in a row Suicide Squad stands tall over a slew of new, but apparently weak, competitors. While its 52% drop and $262M domestic total still closely resembles that of 'Batman v Superman' at the same stage, the expectations were considerably lower since these aren't exactly DC's top tier characters. That said, having Will Smith, Margot Robbie, and Jared Leto goes a long way. Overall it has earned $572M worldwide.
2. Sausage Party- $15.3M/$65.3M
Seth Rogen and Friends' raunchy animated food comedy Sausage Party cooked up another $15.3M. The $65.3M total only increases its hold as the top-grossing R-rated animated movie ever, and probably assures we'll see talking food replace talking animals as the new thing.
3. War Dogs (review here)- $14.6M
Todd Phillips may be the director behind comedy hits like The Hangover, Old School, and Road Trip, but War Dogs is not them. The "based on a true story' tale about two regular dudes (remember its original title was Arms and the Dudes) who become top arms dealers opened with a mere $14.3M, one of Phillips' lowest openers. Miles Teller and Jonah Hill led the film but neither is exactly what you would call a bankable lead; they're more like welcome supporting players, and clearly audiences agree. Because it is dealing with war and war profiteering specifically, this also isn't the kind of movie that will draw in casual viewers. So this was always going to be a tough nut to crack. Fortunately it only cost $40M and should stick around long enough to make most of that back.
4. Kubo and the Two Strings (review here)- $12.6M
>sigh< It's depressing every time Laika releases a new film to have to report that it underwhelmed at the box office, but here I am again. The excellent Kubo and the Two Strings opened with only $12.6M, the lowest of the acclaimed studio's four movies: Coraline, ParaNorman, and The Boxtrolls. This is despite glowing reviews from practically all corners for the $60M stop-motion effort about a young boy who goes on a magical Japanese folklore-inspired quest with a talking monkey and samurai beetle. On the plus side, there aren't a ton of family friendly movies out there other than Pete's Dragon (which ya'll didn't see either!!!!) so it may have decent legs stretching through September. I just would like to come on here one day and be able to say that a Laika movie pulled Pixar numbers. Just once.
5. Ben-Hur (review here)- $11.3M
Was there EVER any doubt that Ben-Hur would be a dud? There was practically zero buzz for the Biblical remake starring Jack Huston, a guy nobody has ever paid a ticket to see, and following on the 1959 film most consider a classic. Studios don't seem to get it. Faith-based movies may be all the rage right now but the target audience isn't flocking to $100M+ spectacles. They'd rather pay for God's Not Dead than Noah. And Ben-Hur just always looked like a poor decision on someone's part, beginning with the hiring of Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted) as director. He's the guy you turn to for a shootout flick, not one with a depiction of Jesus Christ's crucifixion. So here's the relatively good news. The film only cost $100M, so nobody broke the bank on this one. There's a very good chance it does well overseas in the long run considering the material and cast (actual brown people!).
6. Pete's Dragon- $11.3M/$42.8M
Disney's Pete's Dragon remake fell only 47% from last week, giving it a $42M domestic total and $57M worldwide. That's a great hold, and since the film (which you really should see) only cost $65M this may actually turn out okay.
7. Bad Moms- $8M/$85.8M
8. Jason Bourne- $7.9M/$140.8M
9. The Secret Life of Pets- $5.7M/$346.7M
10. Florence Foster Jenkins- $4.3M/$14.4M
