The Grey Box Office Weekend Exceeds Expectations With $20 Million
Survival story "The Grey," which stars Liam Neeson has won the weekend's box office battle with $20 million in ticket sales over the weekend.
"The Grey" easily beat off competition from last weekend's winner, "Underworld: Awakening," which stars Kate Beckinsale and brought in just $12.5 million from Friday through Sunday, according to Reuters.
"The Grey" sees Neeson lead a team of plane crash survivors to fight harsh weather conditions, as well as a ferocious pack of wolves in the Alaskan wilderness.
Open Road Films CEO Tom Ortenburg has said that the film beat off competitions because "it doesn't look like every other movie out there. In a crowded marketplace, I think it's important to be distinctive," according to Reuters.
Katherine Heigl's new comedy, "One for the Money," came in a close third for the weekend with $11.8 million, which was better than the $10 million expected by industry forecasts.
David Spitz, head of domestic distribution for Lions Gate has said, "We think the audience that showed up are not frequent moviegoers. They're just huge fans of Janet Evanovich."
"Red Tails," a drama about black fighter pilots in World War II, took $10.4 million and came in fourth place for its second weekend in theaters.
In fifth place for the weekend's box office was crime drama "Man on a Ledge." It took $8.3 million, and features "Avatar" star Sam Worthington as a fugitive who is threatening to jump off from a hotel ledge.