“The Dark Knight Rises” has officially fallen behind predecessor “The Dark Knight” in a comparative battle, but it still had no trouble claiming a victory at the box office this weekend.
“TDKR” grossed $64.1 million this weekend, bringing its ten-day total to $289.1 million. “The Dark Knight” had earned $313.8 million by the same point in its 2008 run.
While the $64.1 million haul topped forecasts brought on by Friday’s $18 million gross, it remains underwhelming given the lofty pre-release expectations for “Rises.” “TDK,” which earned a few million less than “Rises” in its opening weekend, fell only 53% for a $75.2 million second weekend.
“TDKR” fell by roughly 60% this past outing, which is bigger than it seems given the fact that some of those who abstained from seeing the film last weekend after the Aurora, CO tragedy would theoretically have wanted to see the movie this weekend.
Still, at $64.1 million, “TDKR” easily topped newcomers “The Watch” and “Step Up: Revolution,” both of which flopped.
Landing behind “Ice Age: Continental Drift” ($13.3 million), critically-panned “The Watch” earned just $13 million in its debut. That bested “Step Up Revolution,” which earned only $11.8 million to become the dance franchise’s worst-opening release.
“Ted” finished in fifth with $7.4 million. With $193.6 million in receipts, it is a lock to soon cross the $200 million domestic threshold.
