TED and MAGIC MIKE, this week’s major releases in the US, both have a chance of beating THE HANGOVER’s record for best opening weekend for an original R-rated comedy. Next week will see summer’s second wave of big budget releases begin with THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, an obvious choice for the beloved 4th July weekend in the US. However, this week belongs to raunchy R-rated comedies. Seems as though audiences really want strippers and foul mouthed bears.
The first HANGOVER opened to $45 million back in 2009 and has held the record ever since. TED had a very strong Friday with $20.5 million, putting it on course for a $50.1 million opening weekend. MAGIC MIKE’s first day on release took in an estimated $18 million which could lead to a $47 million weekend take. Both these films are sure to be incredible successes, especially considering TED’s budget of $50 million and MAGIC MIKE’s estimated $5 million budget. Both these films are already shaping up to be huge money makers for their respective studios Universal and Warner Bros.
It certainly seems as though the parents and adults are taking back their cinemas this weekend. Who can blame them after so many animated and comic book films? I’d wager good money that these films are appealing to couples in separate ways. TED is probably reminding the guys about their wilder, party filled days, while MAGIC MIKE is a little treat for the ladies. Overall this has been a grand and unexpected inter-studio tag team assault on the box office. Come back on Monday to see the final results.
TED is released in the UK 1st August 2012 and stars Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis and Seth MacFarlane. MAGIC MIKE will open on our shores 11th July 2012. It stars Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, and Matthew McConaughey.
Source: Deadline
