Weekend Box Office: ‘Three Stooges’ Ushers in Lackluster New Movies

After weeks of mega-profits (thanks largely to an archery-obsessed teen), the North American box office took a nosedive this weekend. Is this the beginning of a springtime famine before the summer feast—or at least until “The Avengers” arrive to save the day in early May? While “The Hunger Games” held on to the #1 position for the fourth week in a row, “The Three Stooges” led the new releases with numbers that had to be a tad disappointing to studio execs. Still, while that film is not exactly being praised by critics, many agree that it could have been so much worse and that the movie, with its cameos by the “Jersey Shore” cast, does not signal the beginning of the Apocalypse as some had predicted.

While slowing down after a month, “The Hunger Games” remains the #1 film in the land with its worldwide cumulative gross already exceeding half a billion dollars! Domestically, the film pocketed another $21.5M over the three-day weekend (at 3,916 theaters). Fox’s “The Three Stooges” was the #2 film in the country, but its $17.1M in ticket sales (at 3,477 theaters) was not setting new records for raunchy comedies. But as we said, considering the derision that has followed the Farrelly Brothers film since it was first announced, the studio may be relieved. At #3, Lionsgate’s “The Cabin in the Woods” is the kind of movie people either love or hate. Most critics were ecstatic about the clever twists in the Joss Whedon/Drew Goddard horror film which earned $14.8M (at 2,811 theaters). “Titanic 3D” slipped to #4 this weekend, the actual 100th anniversary of the sinking of the ship. Its $11.6M (at 2,697 theaters) is just the tip of the iceberg if you add it to the $2 billion-plus the unsinkable film has amassed worldwide since its 1997 debut. Last week’s “American Reunion” fell to #5, making only $10.7M (at 3,203 theaters). I suspect that aging gang has defiled its last apple pie.

While definitely not the fairest of them all, “Mirror Mirror” was the #6 film in its third weekend, with $7M in ticket sales (at 3,206 theaters) and a cumulative gross approaching $50M. At #7, “Wrath of the Titans” softened its wrath considerably, earning only $6.9M (at 3,102 theaters) while “21 Jump Street” fell to #8 in its fifth week, with a $6.8M weekend (at 2,735 theaters). FilmDistrict’s new sci-fi thriller, “Lockout,” starring a wise-cracking Guy Pearce and Maggie Grace, only made it to #9, with a $6.2M opening weekend (at 2,308 theaters). Finally, at #10 in its seventh week, “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax” added $3M (at 2,112 theaters) to its healthy $200M-plus cumulative totals.

Disappearing from the Top Ten this week? Poor “John Carter” along with “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen” and “Safe House.” Will “The Hunger Games” finally vacate the #1 spot next weekend? Possibly, but with the only major new films being Warner Bros.’ “The Lucky One” and Screen Gems’ “Think Like a Man,” Katniss and company may just hold on for dear life.