The zombie apocalypse and Superman were no match for monsters this weekend, as Monster’s University ruled the box office.
The Disney sequel to 2001’s Monster’s, Inc. earned $82 million in its debut weekend, easily beating out World War Z and last weekend’s top movie, Man Of Steel.
Monster’s University reunites the characters voiced by Billy Crystal (Mike Wazowski) and John Goodman (Sulley), offering a look at their relationship during their days at Monsters University — when they weren’t necessarily the best of friends.
“The diversity of this weekend is part of what makes this business so great,” Dave Hollis, Disney’s head of distribution, told the Associated Press. “It’s a really extraordinary weekend for the industry.”
Monster’s was Disney/Pixar’s 14th consecutive film to open in first place.
In at #2 was Paramount’s Brad Pitt zombie epic, World War Z, earning $66 million. In it, United Nations employee Gerry Lane (Pitt) traverses the world in a race against time to stop the zombie pandemic that is toppling armies and governments, and threatening to destroy humanity itself.
Man Of Steel falls to #3 this weekend with $41.2 million, taking its domestic haul to $210 million; This Is The End rakes in another $13 million for #4; and Now You See Me closes out the top 5 with $7.8 million to bring its total to $94.4 million.
That’s a wrap for this weekend. This upcoming week, look out for the release of the Sandra Bullock comedy, The Heat; and Jamie Foxx and Channing Tatum’s action/drama, White House Down.
This weekend’s top 10 is as follows:
1. “Monsters University,” $82 million.
2. “World War Z,” $66 million.
3. “Man of Steel,” $41.2 million.
4. “This Is the End,” $13 million.
5. “Now You See Me,” $7.87 million.
6. “Fast & Furious 6,” $4.7 million.
7. “The Internship,” $3.43 million.
8. “The Purge,” $3.41 million.
9. “Star Trek: Into Darkness,” $3 million.
10. “Iron Man 3,” $2.2 million.