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The debut marks the biggest for Spike Jonze , a director known for his off-kilter films ( Being John Malkovich , Adaptation ).
Wild also marked the second successful adaptation of a children's book in recent weeks. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs crossed the $100 million mark this week.
"I can't imagine too many people who could do what Spike did," says Dan Fellman of Warner Bros ., which distributed Wild Things . "He had always felt deeply about the book, and he delivered a movie that evokes those same feelings."
Jonze tugged those emotions with his unorthodox filmmaking, a style that had Warner Bros. nervous that the film would flop. Jonze used oversized costumes to create the Wild Things. He picked a child with no acting experience to shoulder the bulk of the $80 million flick. The movie even offered midnight screenings — unheard of for a children's film.
The strategy paid dividends, particularly with young moviegoers and women, who made up 55% of the audience. Audiences 25 and younger gave the film an A-, according to CinemaScore.
"I don't like to over-explain something, especially from your childhood," Jonze said shortly before the film opened. "It just touched me. I read it over and over. All I cared about was getting that same tone."
Wild Things wasn't the only winner on a brisk weekend at theaters. Law Abiding Citizen claimed second place with $21.3 million, more than twice the projections.
The movie overcame tough reviews to lure fans of stars Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx .
"This was the weekend that reinvigorated the box office," says Kyle Davies of Overture Films, which distributed Citizen . "Especially in these times, a movie is about escape, and those stars delivered."
Paranormal Activity continues its spooky run up the charts. The no-budget movie (it cost a reported $15,000) was third with $20.2 million, $9 million above expectations. Paranormal has taken in $33.7 million since its release a month ago, thanks primarily to a viral campaign targeting college-aged students. |
