'Thor,' swinging his mighty hammer, smashes Hollywood's slump
'Thor: Rognarok' proved a smashing success this weekend, pulling in $121m in N. American theaters.
LOS ANGELES (AFP) - After a dismal October for Hollywood, Disney and Marvel Studio s "Thor: Rognarok" proved a smashing success this weekend, pulling in $121 million in North American theaters for a global total of $427 million, according to industry estimates.
How big was the film s three-day opening? Well, the latest "Thor" episode, boosted by strong reviews and the self-mocking humor of Chris Hemsworth as the powerful Norse god (with Cate Blanchett as Hela, goddess of death), netted more than seven times the take of last week s leader, Lionsgate s "Jigsaw."
That movie, which has police investigating a string of horrific murders carried out in the style of supposedly long-dead killer Jigsaw, dropped this weekend to third place at $6.7 million, according to website Exhibitor Relations.
In second was "A Bad Mom s Christmas," from STX Entertainment, at $17 million. That comedy stars three women -- Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn -- whose plans change when their mothers (Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines and Susan Sarandon) drop in unexpectedly for the holidays.
In fourth position was Lionsgate s "Boo 2! A Madea Halloween" at $4.7 million. The light comedy has actor/director Tyler Perry and buddies heading to a campground which -- surprise! -- turns out to be haunted.
In fifth spot was "Geostorm" from Warner Bros., at $3 million. The sci-fi disaster thriller follows Gerard Butler as he struggles to save the world from an apocalyptic storm caused by climate-controlling satellites run amok.
