BOX OFFICE: THE MARTIAN Rockets To Second Highest October Opening Weekend Ever
Given his recent record, some had pegged Ridley Scott's latest sci-fi movie The Martian to be a critical and possibly even a commercial failure. However, he proved his critics wrong this weekend, as the movie opened to rave reviews and a whopping total at the US box office...
On the back of widespread critical acclaim, The Martian hit it big at the domestic box office this weekend, racking up the second highest October opening ever. According to Box Office Mojo, the movie raked in an mighty $54.3 million - placing it just shy of Gravity's total of $55.7 million two years prior. Additionally, the film managed to pull in over $44.5 million overseas - placing it on the cusp of making back its $108 million budget within its first week. Not bad!
The sci-fi movie also completely outclassed its present competition, leaving its nearest competitor - the $33 million-grossing Hotel Transylvania 2 - in the dust. Sicario ($12 million), The Intern ($11.6 million) and The Maze Runner: Scorch Trials ($7.7 million) rounded out the Top 5, with The Walk undewhelming on its limited IMAX release with only $1.5 million.
The Martian represents somewhat of a critical and commercial return to form for Ridley Scott. It's currently sitting pretty on 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, while its opening weekend is the highest the director has experienced since Hannibal in 2001. Despite the an all-star cast and popular early reception, there's still no way of telling whether it has the legs to become a box office smash - but based on fellow sci-fi successes like Gravity and Interstellar, I wouldn't bet against it!
You can check out CBM's interview with The Martian author Andy Weir here, and be sure to leave your thoughts on the movie if you've seen it in the comments below!
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