Ben-Hur flops at box office while Suicide Squad threepeats
If this weekend’s box office estimates prove anything, it’s that superhero movies are still a safe investment while Gladiator wannabes have officially overstayed their welcome.
Despite receiving mostly negative reviews, Suicide Squad has remained at the top of the box office for three weeks in a row, according to Box Office Mojo. This weekend, it accumulated an estimated $20.7 million, bringing its domestic total to $262.28 million.
Sausage Party managed to hang onto second place, making an estimated $15.3 million over its sophomore weekend. Meanwhile, this weekend’s newcomers failed to leave much of an impression. War Dogs opened in third with an estimated $14.3 million. Although Kubo and the Two Strings received rave reviews, it only came in fourth with an estimated $12.6 million. While not the biggest box office success, at least Kubo is guaranteed a Best Animated Feature nomination come Oscar time.
One movie that won’t be receiving any love from the Academy is the remake of Ben-Hur. In addition to bombing with critics, this $100 million picture opened in fifth place with a measly $11.35 million. It didn’t do much better internationally, making an estimated $10.7 million. There’s little doubt that Ben-Hur will go down as one of 2016’s biggest box office flops. It could also very well kill the historical epic genre for good.
Check out the full weekend box office estimates below:
1. Suicide Squad – $20,710,000
2. Sausage Party – $15,325,000
3. War Dogs – $14,300,000
4. Kubo and the Two Strings – $12,610,000
5. Ben-Hur – $11,350,000
6. Pete’s Dragon – $11,331,000
7. Bad Moms – $8,068,000
8. Jason Bourne – $7,980,000
9. The Secret Life of Pets – $5,770,000
10. Florence Foster Jenkins – $4,300,000