Performing above expectations due to glowing reviews, the Ben Affleck-directed “The Town” cruised to a box office victory in its opening weekend.
Early estimates have the film earning $23.8 million. The total almost rivals the debut of similarly-marketed “The Departed,” which earned $26.9 million in 2006. That eventual Best Picture winner featured the directing of Martin Scorsese and a higher-profile cast.
Elsewhere, Emma Stone-starring teen comedy “Easy A” bowed to $18.2 million, essentially in line with expectations. The second-place film has received mixed-to-positive reviews, with critics noting that Stone’s strong performance enhances an otherwise typical teen comedy.
New release “Devil” landed in third with $12.6 million, beating “Resident Evil: Afterlife” ($10.1 million) and “Alpha and Omega” ($9.2 million).
On the platform front, limited release “Catfish” claimed the win with $255,252 from 12 screens (a per-theatre average of $21,271). “Never Let Me Go” was second on $120,830 from four screens, while hyped new release “Jack Goes Boating” pulled only $30,000 from four auditoriums.
Weekend Top Ten:
1) The Town – $23.8M
2) Easy A – $18.2M
3) Devil – $12.5M
4) Resident Evil: Afterlife $10.1M ($44M)
5) Alpha and Omega – $9.2M
6) Takers – $3M ($52.3M)
7) The American – $2.8M ($32.9M)
8) Inception – $2M ($285.2M)
9) The Other Guys – $2M ($115.4M)
10) Machete – $1.7M ($24.3M)
11) Eat Pray Love – $1.7M ($77.7M)
