The Weekend Box Office: Sony/Screen Gems ‘The Vow’ takes top spot in huge movie weekend

As usual, Valentine’s Day weekend brought in huge numbers for the movie industry, marking only the second time in history that four movies brought in over $20 million during the three-day span. Naturally, The Vow, produced by Sony/Screen Gems studios took the top-spot, bringing in over $41 million, capitalizing on the romantic holiday weekend. Fascinatingly enough, action-thriller Safe House also brought in huge numbers, following closely behind with just above $40 million. Rounding out the top five were Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, Star Wars: Episode I (in 3D), and last week’s top draw, Chronicle. Sony/Screen Gems Underworld Awakening also stayed in the top ten this weekend with $2.4 million after a solid top five showing last week.

Backed by Valentine’s Day weekend, The Vow took in impressive numbers, the most for any Screen Gems release in history. The “inspired by true events” film stars Channing Tatum (G.I. Joe) and Rachel McAdams (Mean Girls) in a romantic drama similar to another McAdams film – 2004’s The Notebook.

Crime thriller Safe House, lead by Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds, took a very close second place with just over $40 million. This is Washington’s second-highest weekend debut behind 2007’s American Gangster. The film focuses on a young CIA agent (Reynolds) on the run with a captured fugitive (Washington).

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island had a solid showing at number three with just over $27 million. Starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, The Mysterious Island is a sequel to 2008’s Journey to the Center of the Earth.

Continuing the success of 3D rereleases, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace took in $22.4 million for 20^th Century Fox studios. Originally released in 1999, The Phantom Menace is widely considered the weakest of the six Star Wars films; however, the movie’s weekend success suggests that 3D has become a legitimate box office draw.

Rounding out the top five this week is teenage superhuman drama Chronicle, which was at the top of the box office last weekend, bringing in just over $12 million in its second week.

With a strong showing this past weekend, Sony looks to continue its box office success next weekend, with Sony Pictures’ Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance releasing on February 17.