This Weekend at the Box Office: “Think Like a Man” Beats “Hunger Games”

“The Hunger Games” is no longer the #1 movie in America.  After four weeks on top, there’s a new champion, the ensemble romantic comedy “Think Like a Man,” inspired by Steve Harvey’s best-selling book, which made a robust $33 million, exceeding expectations.  Further examination of the numbers shows just how strong that showing is.  According to Box Office Mojo:

The movie’s $16,377 per-theater average is third-highest for a nationwide release so far this year behind The Hunger Games ($36,871) and The Lorax ($18,830) and significantly above huge hits like The Vow, Safe House and 21 Jump Street. Its opening was also better than nearly all comparable titles, including all Tyler Perry movies except Madea Goes to Jail ($41 million). Finally, it topped 2009’s Obsessed ($28.6 million) to become Screen Gems’ highest opener ever targeting African-American audiences (overall, it’s their second-best opening ever behind The Vow).

This should be a message to Hollywood that audiences want to see more of “Think Like a Man’s” outstanding cast in lead roles and not just snappy sidekicks and supporting characters, including Romany Malco, Gabrielle Union, Regina Hall, Meagan Goode, Taraji P. Henson, and Michael Ealy.  Those who enjoyed Kevin Hart’s performance should be sure to listen to his thoughtful and very funny interview on Marc Maron’s WTF podcast (note: very strong and explicit language).

“The Lucky One” also did very well at the box office, with $22.8 million, the second-best opening for a Nicolas Sparks film.  Both films got very high marks from the people who saw it, so a strong showing over the next few weeks is likely, even with some competition from the first warm-weather blockbuster, “The Avengers,” opening next week.  It was good to see “Chimpanzee” become the highest first week nature documentary ever, especially because Disney made contributions for every ticket sold to the Jane Goodall Institute.