Channing Tatum‘s “Magic Mike: XXL” danced past Arnold Schwarzenegger and “Terminator: Genisys” in their first day at the box office Wednesday. But the numbers suggest they’ll have trouble lighting it up over the full July 4 weekend.
Warner Bros.’ “Magic Mike XXL” was No. 1 on Wednesday with $9.3 million, ahead of the $8.9 million that second-place “Terminator: Genisys” rolled up for Paramount and Skydance Productions. Those figures included their respective Tuesday night hauls of $2.4 million and $2.3 million, however, and that’s what put them ahead of heavyweight holdovers “Inside Out” and “Jurassic World.”
Take away the Tuesday grosses and it’s a different story, leaving “Magic Mike” with $7.1 million and “Genisys” at $6.6 million.
Pixar Animation’s “Inside Out,” which is heading into its third weekend, took in $7.3 million Wednesday and that would have made it the top film. “Jurassic World” numbers weren’t in yet, but it grossed $7.4 million for Universal Tuesday.
That suggests that neither new release is going to skyrocket over the next four days. With both “Magic Mike XXL” and “Terminator: Genisys” on pace to finish closer to $40 million than the $50 million that analysts had projected, the five-day July 4 weekend may be more sparkler than Roman candle.
That’s worse news for Paramount than Warner Bros., since “Terminator: Genisys” cost $155 million to make and has two sequels riding on it, while the “Magic Mike” sequel’s production budget was under $18 million, and it should still wind up in the black.
For “Terminator: Genisys” to avoid red ink, it will need strong overseas returns. The film debuts in roughly 60 percent of its markets this weekend.
The soft debuts don’t bode well for the overall box office, either. While it won’t be as bad as last year’s dud of a July 4 weekend, the worst in 26 years, 2015’s won’t one for the books. The fact that July 4 falls on a Saturday, when many potential moviegoers will likely be watching fireworks instead, is expected to knock attendance down by roughly one third.
The CinemaScore results for “Terminator: Genisys” are also revealing. It received an “A-” from audience members under 25, but a “B+” overall. That suggests it connected with young moviegoers looking for a sci-fi action tale, but may have let down older fans who recall the four earlier films in the franchise. First-night crowds awarded an “A-” CinemaScore to “Magic Mike XXL.”
“Magic Mike XXL” is in 3,355 theaters, while “Terminator: Genisys” is in 3,758 locations, 363 of which are IMAX venues.
19 of the Most Loved or Hated Movies: Films That Got A+ or F CinemaScores (Photos)
Nominated for Best Picture and Best Actor at the 87th Academy Awards, "American Sniper" snagged an A+ rating in January 2015.
Warner Bros. Pictures
"42" tells the inspiring tale of Jackie Robinson breaking down baseball's race barriers, a well-deserved A+ recipient in April 2013.
Warner Bros. Pictures
The presence of Brad Pitt and James Gandolfini didn't keep audiences from giving crime drama "Killing The Softly" an F in November 2012.
The Weinstein Company
A star-studded cast and plenty of action elevated blockbuster "Marvel's The Avengers" to an A+ rating in May 2012.
Marvel Studios
Ben Affleck's "Argo" received an A+ in October 2012 from opening night audiences and months later it won the Best Picture Oscar.
Warner Bros. Pictures
"The Help," told through the point of view of maids who worked for white families, obtained an A+ in August 2011.
Walt Disney Studios
Audiences loved the animated movie "Tangled," earning it an A+ in November 2010.
Walt Disney Studios
"The King's Speech" was another Best Picture Oscar winner that audiences knew was a winner, giving it an A+ in September 2010.
The Weinstein Company
"The Blind Side," featuring Sandra Bullock, touched audiences everywhere in November 2009. The semi-biographical sports drama snagged an A+ rating.
Warner Bros. Pictures
James Marsden and Cameron Diaz found a bizarre package in November 2009's "The Box." Audiences found it bizarre enough to give it an F.
Warner Bros. Pictures
"I Know Who Killed Me" starring Lindsay Lohan was not as adored as "Mean Girls." The psychological thriller gave it an F in July 2007.
TriStar Pictures
"Bug" is among several horror movies that drew an F grade in May 2007 from first-night attendees, despite Ashley Judd and Michael Shannon in the cast.
Lionsgate
Aussie backpackers fell prey to murderous bushman in December 2005's "Wolf Creek." Audiences went after it like a dingo, and gave it an F.
Roadshow Entertainment
"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" was a hit with fans, boasting an A+ rating since December 2003.
New Line Cinema
Audiences spaced out on Steven Soderbergh's November 2002 flick "Solaris," and gave the George Clooney sci-fi film an F.
20th Century Fox
Richard Gere, Helen Hunt and Farrah Fawcett couldn't save "Dr. T and the Women" from a F rating in October 2000.
Artisan Entertainment
Denzel Washington and an inspiring tale of race relations added up to an A+ for "Remember the Titans" in September 2000.
Buena Vista Pictures
"Driving Miss Daisy," with Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman in the December 1989 flick, was another A+ movie that went on to win the Best Picture Oscar.
Warner Bros. Pictures
Darren Aronofsky's "Mother" starring then-girlfriend Jennifer Lawrence confounded audiences -- and many critics -- and earned an F CinemaScore in September 2017.
Paramount
If you're curious, click on to see all the movies that have flunked in the CinemaScore survey.