The highly anticipated Star Trek reboot opened a new chapter in the long-running franchise’s history this weekend, outstripping all of its predecessors’ openings by far (even factoring in ticket price increases) and landing solidly at No. 1 with a blockbuster-worthy $72.5 million. That gonzo box-office take combined with the overall glowing reviews for the J.J. Abrams-directed installment means a sequel or four are being developed as you read this.
Last week’s blockbuster opener, X-Men Origins: Wolverine took a nosedive to the tune of 68 percent this weekend: Its $27 million take was enough to land it at No. 2, but so far Wolverine seems to be following the same box-office trajectory as this spring’s disappointing Watchmen, which plummeted out of the top 10 after four lackluster weeks. Holding up much better is Ghosts Of Girlfriends Past, which dropped only 32 percent to No. 3 with $10.45 million, ahead of another steady earner, Obsessed, at No. 4 with $6.6 million.
17 Again had a solid fourth-week showing at No. 5 with $4.4 million, edging out newcomer Next Day Air, which debuted at No. 6 with $4 million, a solid take considering its relatively small opening (just 1,138 theaters). The Soloist continues to limp out of the top 10, dropping to No. 7 with $3.6 million, just ahead of the relatively long-running Monsters Vs. Aliens, which took in another $3.38 million in its seventh week. A couple of vastly different Disney flicks duked it out for the Nos. 9 and 10 spots, with environmental documentary Earth ($2.48 million) just squeaking ahead of teen-queen musical comedy Hannah Montana The Movie ($2.41 million).
More detailed numbers can be found at boxofficemojo.com.