'Spring Breakers' Analysis: Why did the Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens, and James Franco Picture Become a Huge Hit?

After opening in New York and LA to solid numbers A24 expanded "Spring Breakers" nationwide. 

The film starring, Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens and James Franco, opened on March 15^th to $263,000 in three theaters. After the hype and buzz "Breakers" received, A24 decided to expand it nationwide and opened to $4.8 million.

The studio took a chance on the film and it paid off as it has already garnered $6.4 million domestically. "Breakers" also became A24's biggest film ever. However pundits wonder what led it to become such a huge hit.

A24 opened its first film ever in February. The movie was "Charles Swan" starring Charlie Sheen and Bill Murray and was directed by Oscar nominee Roman Coppola. Many had the film on their most anticipated films of 2013 lists but it failed to generate buzz.

"Ginger and Rosa" was their second film and even after an Oscar campaign and one week run in December, the Sally Potter picture had a hard time generating an audience.

However "Breakers" was the opposite. After opening in Venice and Toronto to mixed reviews and creating controversy for its content, A24 took a risk with the film. It had little buzz by the end 2012 due to Oscar campaigning. However once 2013 began the studio started to go with a viral campaign and created press junkets, screenings and interviews for its celebrity stars. Hudgens and Gomez also hit headlines when they began to speak about their daring turns.

Director Korine also helped the film garner a wider audience after hitting headlines for being banned on the David Letterman show. After the incident, audiences have become even more curios about the enigmatic director and flocked to theaters.

Going into its third weekend it will be interesting to see if audiences will continue to be receptive or curious and whether A24 will continue to expand the film.

"Spring Breakers" tells the story of four college girls who land in jail after robbing a restaurant in order to fund their spring break vacation. They find themselves bailed out by a drug and arms dealer who wants them to do some dirty work.

The film is rated R for strong sexual content, language, nudity, drug use and violence throughout.