Split Holds Top Spot, Journey to the West Opens Big in China

M. Night Shyamalan’s Split (Universal Pictures) easily held on to the top spot at the domestic box office this week, dropping just 34% in ticket sales and adding $26.3 million. In two weeks, the thriller has earned $78 million. Internationally, Split grossed $14.8 million from 31 territories this weekend for an overseas total of $23.7 million. Combined with North America, the film has earned $101.7 million. As with 2015’s breakout hit The Visit — the most successful horror film of that year — writer/director/producer Shyamalan again teamed with Jason Blum and his Blumhouse Productions, following the same low-budget model to provide Shyamalan creative filmmaking freedom. Made for just $9 million, Split stars James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, Betty Buckley, Jessica Sula, and Haley Lu Richardson.

Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back debuted with an impressive $52.5 million in China on Saturday, marking the biggest day ever for a local Chinese title and the second-biggest opening of all time there. The film, directed by Tsui Hark and produced by Stephen Chow, broke the record set by The Mermaid and came in behind all-time leader Furious 7. The 390 IMAX screens that played the film generated $4.5 million of the opening day total and broke several IMAX records as well: Best day ever for a local language title; best opening day ever for a local-language title; best Chinese New Year opening day; and third-best day ever of any title after Warcraft and Furious 7.

Universal Pictures also claimed second place domestically with A Dog’s Purpose, which grossed $18.4 million from 3,059 theaters, an average of $6,010 per location. Universal launched the film in seven overseas territories, where it earned $3.4 million, while the international total including Mister Smith territories is $5 million. The worldwide total is $23.4 million. Produced by Amblin Entertainment and Walden Media, the Lasse Hallstrom-directed film received an A CinemaScore from audiences. Featuring Britt Robertson, KJ Apa, John Ortiz, Dennis Quaid and Josh Gad, A Dog’s Purpose cost $22 million to make.

20th Century Fox’s Hidden Figures remained in third place in North America with $14 million, a dip of just 11% from last weekend. Made for $25 million, the film has now earned $104 million in North America. Directed by Theodore Melfi, Hidden Figures stars Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Mahershala Ali, Aldis Hodge, Glen Powell and Kevin Costner.

Resident Evil: The Final Chapter opened in fourth place with an estimated $13.9 million from 3,104 theaters, an average of $4,462. The video game adaptation performed better overseas, where it grossed $28.3 million from 44 markets for an international total of $64.5 million. Receiving a B CinemaScore, The Final Chapter has earned $78.3 million worldwide so far on a $40 million budget. Written and directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, the movie stars Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, Shawn Roberts, Ruby Rose, Eoin Macken, Lee Joon-Gi, William Levy, and Iain Glen.

Following a record-tying 14 Oscar nominations, Damien Chazelle’s Golden Globe winner La La Land (Lionsgate) again rounded out the top five with $12 million. The film’s theater count was increased from 1,800 to 3,136 this weekend. The musical has earned $106.5 million so far. Overseas, La La Land earned $23.4 million from 73 markets for a foreign total of $117.1 million and impressive global sum of $223.5 million. La La Land, starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, was made for just $30 million.

Also, The Weinstein Company’s Gold bombed in tenth place with just $3.5 million from 2,166 theaters, an average of $1,602 per theater. Directed by Stephen Gaghan, the film stars Matthew McConaughey, Edgar Ramirez, Bryce Dallas Howard, Corey Stoll, Toby Kebbell, Bruce Greenwood and Stacy Keach.