‘Hunger Games’ trounces ‘Penguins,’ ‘Horrible Bosses’

By: 10 years ago

In this image released by Lionsgate, Jennifer Lawrence portrays Katniss Everdeen in a scene from “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1.” AP

The latest “Hunger Games” movie beat back competitors to survive the Thanksgiving weekend in the top spot of the North American box office, according to industry estimates Sunday.

“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1,” starring Jennifer Lawrence as rebellious Katniss Everdeen, grossed nearly $57 million this weekend after its debut a week ago that pulled in $123 million, according to box office tracker Exhibitor Relations.

Fox’s animated-animal film “The Penguins of Madagascar” pulled in about $26 million in its first weekend in theaters, earning the second box office spot.

That debut knocked animated robot flick “Big Hero 6” from second to third on the charts, after the Disney feature took in nearly $19 million in its fourth weekend in theatres.

Space exploration film “Interstellar,” directed by Christopher Nolan, grossed almost $16 million to take the fourth spot.

“Horrible Bosses 2,” the sequel to a 2011 workplace comedy starring Jennifer Aniston, hauled in $15.7 million in its weekend debut.

Screwball comedy sequel “Dumb and Dumber To,” starring Jeff Daniels and Jim Carrey, took the sixth spot with a $8.3 million haul after a box-office topping debut two weeks ago. The film has grossed about $72 million overall.

The life story of theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking in “The Theory of Everything” tripled its weekend earnings, charging into the seven spot with a $5 million take-in. The film grossed $1.5 million last week.

Thriller “Gone Girl” starring Ben Affleck pulled in about $2.5 million this week for the eighth spot.

Dark comedy “Birdman” starring Michael Keaton held onto the ninth box office spot with another week of about $1.9 million in sales.

Comedy “St Vincent,” starring Bill Murray and Naomi Watts, dropped to the 10th spot with $1.8 million in earnings.