TheStar Trekfranchise proved it still has somebox officefirepower last weekend by winning with $59.2 million. While, admittedly, it was the lowest debut since filmmakerJ.J. Abramsrebooted the franchise in 2009, it received glowing reviews and it may have more longevity in theaters than its predecessors. This weekend, it went up against Universal’sJason Bourne, STX Entertainment’s comedyBad Momsand Lionsgate’sNerve. As predicted,Jason Bourneeasily came out on top with an estimated $60 million.
The originalBourne movietrilogy is one of the few to have a bigger box office performance each time out, with many franchises increasing with the second movie and dropping with the third. 2007’sThe Bourne Ultimatumearned $69.2 million in its opening weekend, en route to a franchise best $227.4 million domestic and $442.8 million worldwide, from a $110 million budget. While Universal tried to keep the franchise alive by going in a somewhat different direction with 2012’sThe Bourne Legacy, it’s still been nine years sinceMatt Damonhas been back asJason Bourne, and its possible that the long absence between movies could have either an adverse or an advantageous effect on its box office performance.
Box Office Mojoreports thatJason Bourne, which was produced on a $120 million budget, opened in 4,026 theaters this weekend, for a per-screen average of $14,903. This theater count was far greater thanBad Moms' 3,215 theaters andNerve' 2,538 theaters. BothJason BourneandNervegot middling reviews from critics, with both movies at 56%, whileBad Momsfared a bit better with 64% on RT. The top 5 is rounded out byStar Trek Beyond($24 million),Bad Moms($23.4 million),The Secret Life of Pets($18.2 million) andLights Out($10.8 million).
Matt Damonhimself revealed last year that theJason Bournestory is set in the “post-Snowden world”, referencing former NSA analystEdward Snowden, who leaked thousands of classified documents that exposed how the government was spying on the American public. The movie will be exploring the nature of spy agencies and civil liberties. The actor also teased thatBourneis set in Europe, with the production shooting in several locations such as Greece and Las Vegas.
In this new comedyBad Momsfrom the writers of The Hangover, Amy (Mila Kunis) has a seemingly perfect life - a great marriage, over-achieving kids, beautiful home and a career. However she’s over-worked, over-committed and exhausted to the point that she’s about to snap. Fed up, she joins forces with two other over-stressed moms on a quest to liberate themselves from conventional responsibilities - going on a wild, un-mom-like binge of long overdue freedom, fun and self-indulgence - putting them on a collision course with PTA Queen Bee Gwendolyn (Christina Applegate) and her clique of devoted perfect moms.
The top 10 will be rounded out byIce Age: Collision Course($10.5 million),Ghostbusters($9.8 million,Nerve$9 million),Finding Dory$4.2 million) andThe Legend of Tarzan($2.4 million). Also opening this weekend in limited release is Sony Pictures Classics’Equity, which earned $80,729 from four theaters for a $20,182 per-screen average. Open Road Films' documentaryGleasonearned $129,223 from nine theaters for a $14,358 per-screen average, while IFC’sThe Landearned $12,040 from two theaters for a $6,020 per-screen average. No box office data was given for A24’sInto the Forest, Dimension Films’Viraland Roadside Attractions’Indignation. We don’t know for sure if any of these movies will expand nationally in the weeks or months ahead, so stay tuned.
Looking ahead to next weekend, Warner Bros. will finally unveil their long-awaitedSuicide Squadadaptation, which will go up against EuropaCorp’sNine Lives. The Weinstein Company was initially set to debutThe Founder, starringMichael Keatonas McDonald’s founder Ray A. Kroc, but they recently pushed the movie into awards contention with an Oscar qualifying run starting December 16 and a nationwide expansion July 18, 2025. Also opening in limited release is Independent’sThe Brooklyn Baker,Citizen SoldierandThe Remains, Rialto’sElevator to the Gallows, FilmRise’sFive Nights in Maine, Strand’sFront Cover, Magnolia’sLittle Menand Janus Films’Multiple Maniacs. Be sure to check back on Sunday for the box office estimates, but until then, take a look at our projected top 10 for the weekend of July 29.
