Melissa McCarthy‘s “The Boss” triumphed over “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” at the Friday box office, earning $8 million while the fast-falling superhero saga grossed $6 million.
“The Boss” is now looking at $21.8 million for its opening weekend, while the Henry Cavill-Ben Affleck film is looking to add another $21.6 million to its $274.3 million domestic gross.
“Batman v Superman” suffered a massive decline of 69.1 percent in its second weekend, when it earned $51.3 million. Heading into this weekend, its third, “BvS” was projected to fall by about half, but looks to be falling even harder. If it earns $21.6 million, as appears likely, that would be a 58 percent drop.
Before the weekend, “The Boss” and “Batman v Superman” were neck and neck in Fandango’s advanced ticket sales, with the former scoring 80 points out of 100 points while the superhero film earned 81 points.
McCarthy’s 2013 hit, “Identity Thief,” earned $11 million at the Friday box office, while “The Heat,” costarring Sandra Bullock, earned $13.7 million. “The Boss” had a significantly lower budget than those films, costing around $29 million to produce.
Starring Kristen Bell, Peter Dinklage and Kathy Bates, “The Boss” is about Michelle Darnell, an industry titan who goes to prison for insider trading and then tries to redeem herself by building a brownie empire.
“The Boss” currently holds a score of 18 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and a C+ on CinemaScore.
Disney’s “Zootopia,” in its sixth weekend, should come in third this round, with another $12.6 million added to its already whopping $294 million domestic run.
STX Entertainment’s “Hardcore Henry” took in $2 million at 3,015 locations on Friday. The action film, shot entirely with a GoPro, is looking at a $7 million to $9 million opening weekend.
Critics are split: It now has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 53 percent, although it was up to 70 percent in the days leading up to the previews. The film has a CinemaScore of C+. STX bought the film at Toronto Film Festival.
The Evolution of Melissa McCarthy, From 'Gilmore Girls' to 'Ghostbusters' (Photos)
The actress has come a long way since her days playing Sookie
"Go" (1999)
McCarthy made her feature film debut with a supporting role in "Go," directed by Doug Liman.
Columbia
"Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" (2000) The actress had a small role as Doris, a woman flirting with Jimmy Bosley at the crime scene.
Columbia
"Gilmore Girls" (2000-2007)
McCarthy was cast as Sookie St. James, the best friend of Lorelai Gilmore, in the WB television series. The series ended in 2007, and McCarthy was not asked to return for the reboot announced in February.
"Curb Your Enthusiasm" (2004) McCarthy played a saleswoman in an episode titled "The Surrogate," in which Larry David gets a heart monitor and uses the device to get out of uncomfortable situations.
HBO
In 2005, McCarthy married Ben Falcone, fellow actor and future "Bridesmaids" co-star (seen here at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival).
"The Back-Up Plan" (2010) The rom-com starred Jennifer Lopez and Alex O'Loughlin in the leads, but McCarthy starred as a midwife named Carol.
CBS Films
"Mike & Molly" (2010-2015) "Mike & Molly" premiered on CBS in 2010 and starred McCarthy and Billy Gardell as a couple who fall in love. The show was cancelled in January 2016.
McCarthy even earned an Oscar nomination for her role in "Bridesmaids," and presented at the 2012 ceremony with co-star Rose Byrne.
Getty Images
"This Is 40" (2012)
With Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann in the leads of Judd Apatow's comedy, McCarthy played a kid's mom who gets in a verbal argument with Rudd's character, Pete, at school.
Universal
"Identity Thief" (2013)
The film was a surprise hit at the box office, debuting to $34.5 million and grossing $134.5 million although it received terrible reviews. Jason Bateman starred in the film about a man getting his identity stolen by a woman.
Universal
"The Heat" (2013)
Directed by Paul Feig, McCarthy teamed up with Sandra Bullock to take down a mobster. The film grossed $230 million globally from a $43 million budget.
Fox
"Tammy" (2014)
The film, which received mixed reviews, had McCarthy in the role of a recently-unemployed woman who goes on a road trip with her alcoholic grandmother. The film made $84.5 million domestically.
McCarthy stars as a disgraced industry titan who goes to prison for insider trading. She then tries to redeem herself by starting a new empire with brownies.