A Will Smith movie that didn't open at No. 1? Impossible! For nearly two decades, Will Smith has held the Summer Movie King crown...but not this season. "After Earth," produced by Smith and wife Jada and starring their baby boy Jaden underperformed at the box-office. The sci-fi flick directed by M. Night Shyamalan was predicted to at least make about $35 to $40 million, similar to Tom Cruise's "Oblivion," but alas, it debuted at No. 3 with $27 million.
The worst part? Its budget was $130 million. With bad reviews and so-so word of mouth (it received a CinemaScore of B), it would take the entire world to rally together to help Smith and his family. "After Earth" must do great business overseas for Sony to recoup the budget.
Meanwhile, "Now You See Me," a smaller film from Summit Entertainment, beat Smith and company. The cat-and-mouse thriller featuring Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Morgan Freeman, and Michael Caine debuted at No. 2 with $28.05 million. (Check out my review and interviews with the cast of NOW YOU SEE ME below)
Compared to "After Earth," "Now You See Me" cost $75 million to produce, and received a high A- CinemaScore. The group of magicians in the film need not steal money to recoup its budget!
Holding steady at No. 1 was Universal's "Fast & Furious 6" which dropped 65 percent with a still-healthy $34.5 million showing. It's the franchise that won't die!
Tied for 4th place are Fox's "Epic" and Paramount's "Star Trek Into Darkness" with $16.4 million a piece. Rounding out the Top 5 was "The Hangover Part III" with $15.9 million.
Entering into the Top 10 was the Bollywood film "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani." It made $1.6 million in 162 theaters for the No. 8 position.
Here's the estimated Top 10 box-office films for the weekend of May 31st:
1. "Fast & Furious 6," $34.5 million
2. "Now You See Me," $28.05 million.
3. "After Earth," $27 million.
4. (tie) "Epic," $16.4 million.
4. (tie) "Star Trek: Into Darkness," $16.4 million.
6. "The Hangover Part III," $15.9 million.
7. "Iron Man 3," $8 million.
8. "The Great Gatsby," $6.3 million.
9. "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani," $1.6 million.
10. "Mud," $1.2 million.
