Despite an early challenge from the latest of the Divergent films, Disney's latest animated success, Zootopia (better known on UK shores as Zootropolis) handily defeated the newcomer to retain its place at the top of the US box office with $28 million this weekend according to studio estimates.
The story of mammals living together in a giant city has clearly stuck right at the funny bone and heart of audiences around the world, as the movie has now passed $200 million in the States and is rapidly approaching $600 million worldwide after just a few weeks on release. Could it challenge Frozen's final $1.2 billion figure? Probably doubtful, but it shows no sign of slowing down just yet.
As for Allegiant (that aforementioned new offering from the Divergent lot), the third film adapted from Veronica Roth's novels hasn't been performing like its predecessors. It took in a disappointing $29 million in second place, a marked reduction given that both Divergent and first sequel Insurgent earned more than $50 million when they launched. And some negative reviews didn't help, meaning that the fourth film, Ascendant, will have some work to do when it arrives next year. Third was new mainstream faith-based release Miracles From Heaven, which made a solid $15 million.
10 Cloverfield Lane was down to fourth from second, taking home $12.5 million for a $45.1 million US total to date. That, plus its $52.3 million worldwide haul, should please Paramount given that it cost a reported $11 million to make and didn't spend as much on advertising thanks to its sneaky release. Deadpool finally started to sink down the charts, landing in fifth with $8 million, but still earning well. The anti-superhero's first proper film has taken in more than $340.9 million in the US and $730.6 million globally.
London Has Fallen went down to sixth on $6.8 million, while Whiskey Tango Foxtrot slipped to seventh with $2.8 million. The Perfect Match made $1.9 million for eighth, and Grimsby (called The Brothers Grimsby across the pond) dropped to ninth on $1.4 million. Finally, sneaking back into the top 10 was The Revenant, which earned $1.2 million.