With the triple advantage of A) being a good movie, B) solid reviews and C) little mainstream competition launching at the same time, 21 Jump Street easily schooled the US box office charts this weekend, arriving with a well-earned $35 million and triggering official work on a sequel.
The new champion meant that animated adventure The Lorax had to give up first place, but it only dropped down to second, scoring a healthy $22.8 million in its third week of release. John Carter held decently, slipping to third and adding $13.5 million to its US total. Project X was fourth with $4 million and Eddie Murphy’s new comedy A Thousand Words actually jumped up a place, rising to fifth with $3.7 million.
Act Of Valor’s Navy SEALs went down to sixth place and $3.6 million, while Safe House remained secure in seventh earning $2.8 million towards its mortgage payments. Journey 2: The Mysterious Island managed to climb back up to places to eight with $2.4 million, putting it ahead of new limited-release arrival Casa De Mi Padre. The Spanish-language Will Ferrell comedy debuted on 382 screens for $2.2 million. Finally, This Means War rounded out the top ten, taking home $2.1 million.
To go undercover with The Kids Today and find crime among the charts, head to Box Office Mojo.