The Neill Blomkamp-directed sci-fi has received negative reviews from critics and debuted to only $13.3 million.
- Mar 9, 2015
AceShowbiz - "Chappie" easily wins at North American box office despite only garnering an estimated $13.3 million on its first weekend. The latest sci-fi feature film from Neill Blomkamp has been panned by critics which didn't help the movie attract moviegoers.
Sony distribution chief Rory Bruer commented on the movie's performance, "Neill is a gifted filmmaker, and Chappie is a great character. I do think people wll be talking about this movie for some time to come."
It's another disappointing work from Blomkamp who previously gained attention with his "District 9" in 2009. The movie made on a $30 million budget grossed $210.8 million worldwide and received four nominations at the 2010 Academy Awards, including for Best Picture.
It's follow-up "Elysium" (2013), however, failed to repeat the success, raking in $286.1 million worldwide against a $115 million budget. Still, critics were fairly nice with the movie which stars Matt Damon and Jodie Foster.
Overall, it's a slow weekend at box office. Last week's champion "Focus" drops to No. 2 with additional $10 million, while "The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" debuts at No. 3 with an estimated $8.6 million.
"Kingsman: The Secret Service" loses two spots, placing fourth now with approximately $8.3 million. "The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water" rounds out the top 5 with an estimated $7 million.
Another newcomer last week, "Unfinished Business", also has a disappointing debut. The comedy movie starring Vince Vaughn opens to around $4.8 million against its $35 million budget, which brings it to the tenth place at the domestic chart. It's another flop for Vaughn following "The Internship", "The Watch (2012)" and "Delivery Man", which all bombed at box office.
- "Chappie" - $13.3 million
- "Focus" - $10 million
- "The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" - $8.6 million
- "Kingsman: The Secret Service" - $8.3 million
- "The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water" - $7 million
- "Fifty Shades of Grey" - $5.6 million
- "McFarland, USA" - $5.3 million
- "The Lazarus Effect" - $5.1 million
- "The DUFF" - $4.8 million
- "Unfinished Business" - $4.8 million
