Ridley Scott's "The Martian" takes the number one spot as it rakes in $55 million for its weekend debut. With just $700,000 short of October record holder "Gravity", there is still a possibility to tie or even exceed the record-breaking figure when the final figures are gathered.
Fortune reports that "The Martian", starring Matt Damon, raked in $55 million taking the number 1 spot from "Hotel Transylvania 2." The weekend debut was boosted by positive reviews with critics praising Ridley Scott and describing the film as one of his best films so far and also an overflowing approval on Damon's acting. The movie is the second best premier launching for Matt next to "The Bourne Ultimatum" with $69.3 million and also the second best in Ridley's directing career next to the debut of "Hannibal" which earned $58 million.
The Wall Street Journal adds that $55 million earned by "The Martian" was only shown in the US and in Canada alone. The film's performance in the box office is closing the gap with October record holder film "Gravity" with $55.7 million earnings back in 2013. 3D screenings covered 46% of the of ticket sales and was given an "A" by those who viewed the movie. In addition, it raked in an additional $45.2 million after opening in 49 international theaters which represents only 40% of the global market, according to Chris Aronson, president of domestic distribution of 20th Century Fox.
The Guardian's own Peter Bradshaw reported that "The Martian" was a "genial, likable and borderline flippant sci-fi adventure. It's all about cheerful and unreflective persistence, finding ingenious ways of surviving, improvising with what's available and making the best of things, having a laugh and never giving up."
Analysts shared that there were factors that thwarted Ridley Scott's film from exceeding Gravity's performance in 2013. One major factor is that Matt Damon's movie wasn't able to show in more than a handful of IMAX locations because it was held exclusively for "The Walk." Hopefully as final figures come in, it will exceed the space tragedy movie which starred Sandra Bullock.
With "The Martian" taking the top spot with $55 million for its weekend debut, it overtook "Hotel Transylvania 2." Producers hope to break "Gravity's" $55.7 million October record debut back in 2013.
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