'42' Belts a Home Run at Box Office

Movie

The Brian Helgeland-directed film breaks a new record as the biggest opening for a baseball movie, while 'Scary Movie 5' follows in the second place with the smallest debut for the franchise.

April 15, 2013

AceShowbiz -

"42" exceeds all expectations as the biographical film about baseball legend Jackie Robinson debuts atop the domestic box office. The film, which stars Chadwick Boseman as the iconic player and Harrison Ford as Branch Rickey, takes in $27.5 million, $10 million more than most analysts' expectations.

The Brian Helgeland film hits another home run as it breaks a new record for the biggest opening for a baseball movie, beating the previous recordholder "The Benchwarmers". The comedy film, which featured Rob Schneider, David Spade and Jon Heder, debuted to $19.7 million in April 2006.

"Scary Movie 5", which was initially predicted to be this week's champ, ranks at No. 2. Starring Ashley Tisdale and Charlie Sheen, the fifth installment of the comedy film series opens with $14.2 million, the smallest opening for the franchise as three of the previous four installments successfully earned over $40 million in their debuts.

"The Croods" about pre-historic family still secures the third place with $13.1 million. Meanwhile, last week's runner-up "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" drops to the fourth place as the Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson film takes in $10.9 million.

Editors' Pick

"Evil Dead" seems to be out of favor with the audience this weekend as the demonic possession tale, which claimed the box office throne last week with $25.8 million, plunges to No. 5, bagging $9.5 million.