Bald heads and bad asses mugged the box office over the weekend. “Fast Five,” the latest in a series from action star Vinn Diesel roared to an $83.6 million opening in North America, blowing out all but fantasy adventure flick “Thor” for international honors.
“Thor” grossed $83 million worldwide over the weekend, the biggest foreign opening of the year, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Thor opened last weekend in Australia, boosting its Global gross to $93 million.
“Thor” opens in the United States on May 6.
Robert Pattinson’s and Reese Witherspoon’s much hyped “Water for Elephants,” a largely adult drama, earned an estimated $9.1 million from 2,820 theaters for a total box of $32.3 million — respectable for the type of film, but it reportedly saw a big drop in attendance.
“Fast Five,” out of Universal Studios, set a record for an April debut and was Universal’s best showing ever out of the gate, The Reporter said.
Overseas, it took in $45.3 million for the weekend for a total of $81.4 million and worldwide total to $165 million. Of note, it earned $8.3 million from 243 IMAX locations.
In contrast, “Fast & Furious” grossed $70.5 million for its opening weekend.
Animated feature “Rio” was still pulling at the box office with a worldwide gross now in excess of $366 million.
It finished behind Fast Five at No. 2, with $14.4 million for the weekend and $103.6 million overall. Overseas, it grossed $31.7 million.
Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster and Tyrese Gibson returned for the sequel and action-star Dwayne Johnson joined the cast.
Also rans for the weekend were Disney’s kid-flick “Prom” at $5 million domestically and “Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil,” which grossed $4.1 million for the Weinstein Co.
Lionsgate’s “Big Happy Family” grossed an estimated $10.1 million from 2,288 theaters for a total of $41.1 million in its first 10 days, according to The Reporter.