'Goosebumps' creeps to No. 1 at box office
When it came to this weekend's box office, it would have been wise to bet on black. Jack Black.
Goosebumps, starring Black as children's horror author R.L. Stine, stormed its way to $23.5 million at the box office and No. 1 in a crowded field of quality film openings, according to studio estimates.
Families turned out for the pre-Halloween tale, which Black tirelessly promoted — from singing on late-night TV with Stephen Colbert to performing a Goosebumps-themed rap on the Internet.
"Jack Black was everywhere with his bigger-than-life personality," says Rentrak box office analyst Paul Dergarabedian. "He really was the best marketing resource, a tireless showman and a large part of the number one opening."
Goosebumps scored 71% positive reviews from critics on RottenTomatoes.com and received an A from audiences on CinemaScore.
The Martian and Matt Damon continued to play strong, taking second place with $21.5 million after the Ridley Scott-directed film won the past two weekends for a box-office total of $143.8 million.
Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks' real-life Cold War drama Bridge of Spies opened surprisingly strong with $15.4 million and third place. The drama scored powerfully with critics, with a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and earned an A grade on CinemaScore.
"The Cold War is especially not an easy sell. So this was a good start," says Jeff Bock, box-office analyst for Exhibitor Relations. "And Spielberg will have a long run in theaters, especially with any awards considerations. This could play through the year."
Guillermo del Toro's Gothic love story Crimson Peak underperformed in fourth place with $12.8 million. The all-star cast, which includes Tom Hiddleston, Jessica Chastain and Mia Wasikowska, earned a 68% critical approval rating and failed to score with audiences, who gave it a B-.
The tepid opening by the admired director hurts Crimson Peak "because it has a short shelf life," Bock says. "This was disappointing because horror films traditionally gross most of their money in their opening weekends."
Animated Hotel Transylvania 2 rounded out the top five, continuing to pull in audiences in its fourth weekend with $12.3 million ($136.4 million total). With Adam Sandler voicing Dracula and Mel Brooks as his vampire father, the comedy is benefiting from seasonal family interest.
Room, the drama starring Brie Larson and newcomer Jacob Tremblay as a mother and son escaping a trapped life in a single room, had a strong limited opening in four New York and Los Angeles theaters for $120,000, a $30,000 per-screen average. The film festival darling and early awards favorite has a 95% critical approval rating and an A from audiences.
Steve Jobs, directed by Danny Boyle and starring Michael Fassbender as the iconic Apple co-founder, opened in 60 additional theaters ahead of next weekend's wide release. The drama earned $1.5 million ($2.3 million total) in its second weekend.
Final numbers are expected Monday.
