Monsters University Nabs an A+ at the Box Office!

Sam Maggs

Staff Writer

This past weekend, monsters stormed local movie theatres, crushing swarms of zombies and legions of superheroes. No, it’s not the logline of a really weird disaster flick; it’s the weekend box office!

Disney/Pixar’s Monsters University nabbed the top spot at the box office this weekend, earning over $82 million. A prequel to 2001’s Monsters, Inc., Monsters University follows monsters Mike (Billy Crystal) and Sully (John Goodman) on their journey to become the best scarers in the monster biz. The huge debut makes Monsters U Pixar’s fourteenth consecutive film to open in the top spot; the second-highest opening for a Pixar film ever; and the second-highest June debut for an animated film of all time (topped only by Toy Story 3). Internationally, Monsters U grossed $136.5 million.

“The diversity of this weekend is part of what makes this business so great,” said Disney’s head of distribution, Dave Hollis. “It’s a really extraordinary weekend for the industry.” Though their films’ consistent success thrills Disney, it also puts a “healthy pressure” on their filmmakers, said Hollis. “To deliver that kind of quality consistently is a differentiator in the marketplace.”

Despite the negative reviews and press surrounding the film, second place at the box office was taken by Brad Pitt vehicle and zombie flick World War Z, with $66 million, making it Pitt’s biggest opening in a starring role ever. Henry Cavill’s Man of Steel fell to third place amidst poor reviews and a 56% score on Rotten Tomatoes; earning $41 million this weekend, the film must gross approximately $500 million more dollars worldwide in order to recoup its costs.

Rounding out the top ten are James Franco’s This is the End, Jesse Eisenberg’s Now You See Me, The Purge, Star Trek Into Darkness, and Iron Man 3.

1.

 (-) Monsters University – $82,000,000

2.

 (-) World War Z – $66,000,000

3.

 (1) Man of Steel – $41,215,000

4.

 (2) This is the End – $13,00,000 

5.

 (3) Now You See Me – $7,870,000

6.

 (4) Fast & Furious 6 – $4,725,000

7.

 (6) The Internship – $3,425,000

8.

 (5) The Purge – $3,412,000 

9.

 (8) Star Trek Into Darkness – $3,000,000 

10.

 (10) Iron Man 3 – $2,175,000

Which was your favorite? Let us know!