'Straight Outta Compton' has biggest domestic box office debut ever for a music biopic
(Jaimie Trueblood)
"Straight Outta Compton."
Universal continues to dominate the summer, as its latest release, "Straight Outta Compton," the biopic on groundbreaking gangster-rap group N.W.A., exceeded all expectation by topping the weekend domestic box office with $56 million, according to Exhibitor Relations.
That's the largest opening weekend ever for a music biopic in the US. Buzzfeed's Adam B. Vary tweeted this chart to prove it:
Projections had the film grossing around $25 million, with its more than two-hour running time and R-rating. But following Thursday preview screenings that made $4.96 million, which was more than "Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation" (and in fewer theaters than "M:I" for its Thursday preview), things were looking strong for the film.
"Compton" followed that with a $24.3 million Friday, which is the fourth-highest opening day ever for an August release, according to Deadline.
With a film that has now not just grabbed the attention of moviegoers but has also struck a cultural nerve in the wake of incidents of police unrest like in Ferguson, Missouri, it will be interesting to see if Universal can mount an Oscar campaign for the film through the crowded upcoming fall award season.
Things were not as good for the other new release this weekend. Spy thriller "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." only made $13 million, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
To put that in perspective, "U.N.C.L.E." cost around $80 million to make. "Straight Outta Compton" had a budget of $29 million.
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