So exactly how much did Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides end up making at the box office this weekend? Answer: $346 million. Domestically the pirates weren’t able to flag down the numbers of its predecessors, but in terms of worldwide box office numbers the pirates’ flag is sailing high and proud.
Looks like the critics couldn’t even keep fans of this franchise from seeing the film. Argghh! Thanks to those loyal fans, this franchise is still floating, and it will now go down as having the fourth highest worldwide opening weekend of all time! However, domestically the numbers weren’t so surprising. The fourth installment pulled in less numbers than its past two predecessors. Domestically, At World’s End pulled in $114.7 million, while Dead Man’s Chest raked in $135.6 million. Keep in mind these numbers are without inflation.
Now the next booty to seize is becoming the biggest film of 2011. There’s not doubt that Captain Jack Sparrow won’t pass the hammer wielding Thor ($392 million worldwide) and the nitro cars of Fast Five ($506 million worldwide). The bigger question is how will the ship hold up against the big hitters of this coming weekend–Kung Fu Panda 2 and The Hangover 2? Pirates will take a hit, but with such a busy summer every film will take a huge hit after it’s opening weekend. It’s all a matter of how many blows will it take to bring a film to its knees. Smaller movies almost don’t even have a chance against these box office giants.
The women of Bridesmaids held on strong to their second position of the previous weekend with a second weekend total of $21 million. Last weekend’s leader, Thor, fell from his first place throne to third place with $15.5 million–a decrease of 55.3% from last weekend. Ouch! Fast Five fell one spot to fourth with $10.6 million. That’s a decrease of 48% for the big guys. And still holding it down in the top five at fifth place is Rio with $4.6 million.
Here’s the Domestic Weekend Box Office (May 20th-22nd) Top Ten: [Box Office Mojo]
- Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides $90.1 million
- Bridesmaids $21.05 million
- Thor $15.5 million
- Fast Five $10.6 million
- Rio $4.65 million
- Priest $4.6 million
- Jumping the Broom $3.7 million
- Something Borrowed $3.4 million
- Water for Elephants $2.15 million
- Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Big Happy Family $990,000
