Nostalgia, at least in some cases, is clearly not what it once was. Despite a lot of cultural touchstones littered across the screen, Adam Sandler’s video game character adventure Pixels couldn’t see off the challenge of reigning box office champ Ant-Man. Marvel’s latest outing stayed at the top, earning $24.7 million in its second weekend, according to studio estimates.
While it’s a close-run thing – Pixels made $24 million – which means things could alter in the final figures, it’s looking like Sandler’s latest, which blends his goofy comedy with the high-concept stylings of Chris Columbus, has fizzled in the US under the weight of some dreadful reviews and little positive buzz. Worldwide, it fared a little better, earning $25.4 million for a $49.4 million total around the world. Ant-Man, meanwhile, dashed past $100 million to end up with $106 million in the States so far and more than $226 million globally.
Minions was pushed to third, earning $22.1 million, while Trainwreck – a screening of which was the site of tragedy last Thursday night when a man opened fire, killing two people and wounding nine – fell one place to fourth with $17.3 million.
Despite some mixed reviews praising Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance as the one bright spot, boxing drama Southpaw beat expectations like an opponent in the ring, earning $16.5 million in fifth, while fellow new arrival Paper Towns faced a tougher time living up to the expectations set by the first John Green book adaptation, The Fault In Our Stars. With a less famous book and not-so-starry cast, the new film took in $12.5 million in sixth place.
Pixar’s **Inside Out slipped to seventh, but continues to do well, and has been boosted by strong worldwide business. The film took in $7.3 million this weekend (its sixth on release) for more than $320 million in the States and a little more than $550 million around the globe. 2015 box-office champ Jurassic World **was eighth, adding $6.9 million for $623.8 million in the US alone. The sequel is already in development, announced for a 2018 release slot.
Mr. Holmes, which is holding in there on 686 screens, earned $2.8 million at ninth, while Terminator Genisys fell from sixth to tenth with $2.4 million.
To see Ant-Man punch Adam Sandler right in the Galagas as part of the full chart listings, head to Box Office Mojo.