Well, as it turns out, that insanely catchy tune from 2016 was alieand everything is apparentlynotawesome?The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Partis off to a not-so-solid start, piecing together $8.5 million for a projected $32 million. This is far behind the projected $50-55 million that Warner Bros. was hoping for, and definitely less of a solid foundation than the original film’s $69 million opening.
The LEGO Movie 2seesMike MitchellandTrisha Gumtaking over directorial duties fromChris MillerandPhil Lord, who did come back aboard to write the script.Chris PrattandElizabeth Banksboth returned in their leading LEGO roles—as didWill Arnett, whose LEGO Batman still has a standalone sequel coming down the pipeline—whileTiffany HaddishandStephanie Beatrizjoined the cast. It’s disappointing numbers for the blockey-blockbuster, but the animated film is sitting with an 85% Fresh on RottenTomatoes. Our own Matt Goldberg notedin his reviewthat “Everything may not be ‘awesome’ with the sequel, but it’s still pretty great.”
DirectorAdam Shankman’sWhat Men Wantdebuted in second place on Friday night, taking in $6.6 million for a projected $18 million weekend. The film—a remake of 2000’sMel Gibson-starringWhat Women Want, the most year 2000 movie ever made—starsTaraji P. Hensonas a disgruntled sports agent who gains the ability to read men’s thoughts.
Rounding out the top three is another newcomer,Cold Pursuit, a dark comedy that has debuted under, uh,chilly conditionsthanks to starLiam Neeson.Recently, the actor—unprompted, mind you—offered up a story from his past to an interviewer in which he stalked the streets looking to kill a black man. In the aftermath of the controversy,Cold Pursuitopened to a $3.6 million Friday night on the way to a projected $10 million debut, one of the lowest for Neeson in an action film.
The Prodigy, a creepy-kid horror flick directed byNicholas McCarthy, bowed on Friday night with $2 million, good enough for fourth place above The Upside, which is still hanging around with another $1.7 million.
Take a look at Friday’s numbers below and check back tomorrow for full weekend estimates. (Numbers viaBox Office Mojo)
The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part
$8,500,000
What Men Want
$6,600,000
Cold Pursuit
$3,643,000
The Prodigy
$2,019,993
The Upside
$1,780,000
$80,360,366
