"The Lego Movie" has broken records at box office while "The Monuments Men" surprised with a better than average debut.
Based on the popular toy, "The Lego Movie" opened to a massive $69 million at the domestic box office and had the second-highest opening for a February film. The film was boosted by incredible reviews as it has an outstanding 95 percent aggregate score on Rotten Tomatoes. Already expected to do well, the movie exceeded all of Warner Bros. expectations and has already become the first blockbuster of the year.
In second place, George Clooney's latest directorial effort scored a surprising $22.7 million opening after terrible reviews. The movie is the latest adult-driven picture that Sony releases in the past few months that has exceeded its expectations. Back in October, Tom Hank's "Captain Phillips" opened to $25 million and later in December "American Hustle" scored $19 million when it went wide. If word of mouth continues, "The Monuments Men" could become a sleeper hit.
The Kevin Hart-Ice Cube hit "Ride Along" continued to do solid business as it scored another $9.3 million and brought its total gross to $105 million. The film became the first box office hit of 2014 and should get close to $130 million by the end of its run.
Regardless of competition from "The Lego Movie," "Frozen" continued its successful run and eclipsed "Despicable Me 2," becoming the third-highest grossing film of 2013. The movie added $6.9 million and brought its total to $368 million. "Frozen" looks to end up with $380 million.
At number five "That Awkward Moment" held better than expected and made $5.5 million. The film has already made $16.8 million and could end its run with $25 million.
"Lone Survivor" landed in sixth place with $5.2 million and brought its total to $112 million while "The Nut Job" added another $3.8 million. "The Open Road Film" is also now at $55 million.
The Weinstein Company had yet another misfire with the young adult film "Vampire Academy." The movie, looking to get "Twlight" audiences, scored a miserable $4 million. With very little buzz and awareness, "Vampire Academy" will be on DVD very soon.